Game Story & Notes
Game Story
On Friday night, the NAIT Ooks put on a show for the hometown faithful. Led by Kendra Hanson, Alica Mihalikova and Verca Kuzelova, the Ooks became the first team to score in double-digits this season.
The line of Hanson, Kuzelova and Lyttle was firing on all cylinders Friday. Hanson recorded her second hat-trick in as many nights, while adding an assist, to improve on her league-leading point totals. Her performance was reminiscent of her five-point performance (five assists in a 9-2 win) just under a year ago against the Broncos.
“It feels awesome. It feels unreal coming into the dressing room. I haven’t really been healthy in the past couple years honestly, but after Christmas, I’ve buckled down,” says Hanson following her four-point performance.
Hanson has 10 points in six games since the Christmas break. Kuzelova (two goals) and Lyttle (one assist) enjoyed great nights alongside number 12.
However, it was Alica Mihalikova who wanted to join in on the hat-trick parade. Mihalikova recorded her hat-trick goal at 16:03 of the final frame, almost doubling her goal total on the season (seven).
The Slovakian added an assist in the win, giving her a career-high four points on the night. Friday marked the end of a seven-game pointless drought for Mihalikova; her first points since November 25, 2017.
With the weekend sweep against Olds College, NAIT is in sole possession of first place in the Women’s ACAC standings. They currently lead MacEwan University by two points with only four games remaining.
Game Notes:
-Centre Kendra Hanson has torched Olds College in her career. In 10 career games versus the Broncos, Hanson has never had a pointless game.
-Career vs. Broncos: 10 GP, 11G, 11A, 22 PTS
-Hanson’s back-to-back hat-tricks give her 23 points this season. She currently paces the ACAC in goals, assists and points. Simply remarkable!
-Coming off a 20-save shutout last weekend against Red Deer College, Karlee Fetch only faced 15 shots Friday. Fetch’s victory gives her eight wins on the season, setting a new career-high. The netminder owns a 8-2-0 record with sparkling 1.40 GAA and .933 Sv% numbers.
-Winger Alex Reiter was sensational Friday night. Reiter utilized her size, strength and speed to become a force on the wing. The assistant captain recorded the fifth point of the season with an assist; all of Reiter’s points this season have come at home.
-Jenn Gaeckle has been tremendous for Deanna Martin’s club as of late. Gaeckle recorded one goal and one assist, giving her a mini two-game point streak. Gaeckle has been getting it done at both ends of the rink and will play a key role in the Ooks’ playoff run.
-Right wing Verca Kuzelova continues getting better as the season moves along. Kuzelova’s month-to-month totals:
- October: 4GP, 0G, 0A, 0PTS
- November: 8GP, 4G, 2A, 6PTS
- January: 6GP, 4G, 3A, 7PTS
- February: 2GP, 3G, 1A, 4PTS
Post-Game Interviews
Assistant Coach Kristen Sugiyama
C Kendra Hanson
RW Verca Kuzelova
RW Alex Reiter
Next-Up
SAIT Trojans (4-15-1)
It’s the battle of Highway-2, as the last-place SAIT Trojans make their way to Edmonton to kick off a home-and-home series with NAIT. The Ooks own a 3-0-1 record in four games against the Trojans this season.
February 9: @ NAIT (7:00PM)
Watch & Listen: ACAC TV & NR92
February 10: @ SAIT (7:00PM)
Watch: ACAC TV
