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Mr. Mikes RDP Athlete of the Week for March 27, 2023

What a week it was for Avery Lajeunnesse and the Queens Hockey team. Not only did Lajeunnesse score the game-winning goal 45 seconds into overtime, but it also was the championship-clinching goal that helped the Queens to their second consecutive championship title.

It was a tight game from start to finish with the Queens opening the scoring in the first period with less than a minute to go but the Ooks would bounce back and tie it up at one in the second. The third period would go scoreless which meant the game was going to be decided in overtime. A win for the Ooks would keep their playoff hopes alive and send the series back to Red Deer for Game 4. But Lajeunnesse secured the sweep and gold medal less than a minute into overtime, sending her team flying onto the ice and swarming the Red Deer native as they won back-to-back championships.

On a delay penalty call, Lajeunnesse picked up the loose puck behind the net, wrapped it around and snuck it between the post and the pad of the Ooks goaltender for her second goal of the post-season. This was also her sixth point of the playoffs, placing her tied for the lead with her teammate Alli Soyko. The refs would need to deliberate as the whistle was blown but after a few minutes it was ruled a good goal and the Queens could continue to celebrate.

Congratulations Avery and the Queens on a job well done this past weekend.

RDC Athlete of the Week for Jan. 20, 2020

Avery Lajeunnesse had a remarkable weekend on the ice for the Queens. The quick forward played a key role helping the RDC Queens earn three of a possible four points against the NAIT Ooks. Both teams entered the two game series tied for second place in the league, but after a 3-2 victory on Friday and a close 5-4 shootout setback, the Queens (10-4-2-0) jumped one point over the Ooks (10-5-1-0) in the standings. While Avery worked hard and played well on Friday, she really shone in Saturday’s rematch. The Open Studies student used her speed and scored a hat trick, leading both squads. Her first two goals came within 37 seconds of each other in the opening frame. The third marker was recorded late in the second period. For her dominant performance, Avery was named the Queens Player-of-the-Game. In 16 games, she has six goals and six assists which is impressive, especially for a first-year student-athlete in the ACAC.

Congratulations Avery!