RDP Queens Hockey knock off Ooks, set for ACAC final
Published 10:52 am Monday, March 2, 2026
RDP Queens hockey is set for another chance at an Alberta Colleges Athletic Association league title.
The Queens dispatched the NAIT Ooks in two straight games in the best-of-three semi-final and will play the Lakeland Rustlers in the best-of-five ACAC Championship.
Friday, the Queens beat the Ooks 2-1 at home with goals from Natalie Tychkowsky and Hayley Kolosky in the second period.
Tora Ward made 27 saves to earn the victory.
In Saturday’s 3-2 win in Edmonton, the Queens trailed 2-1 with three minutes to play, before Rylee Mepham scored with 2:45 left in the period to tie the game. Mepham scored the game-winning goal 1:24 later. Jailyn Bablitz also scored for the Queens in the win and Ward made 31 saves for the victory.
Game 1 of the final will be in Lloydminster, with the Queens hosting the Rustlers on March 7 at 7 p.m. at the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.
Red Deer is in the league final for the fifth straight season. They won back-to-back league titles in 2021-22 and 2022-23, then lost in the final in 2023-24 to NAIT and in 2024-25 to the Rustlers.
Women’s Volleyball
The Queens finished fifth at the ACAC Women’s Volleyball Championships over the weekend. They lost to the eventual champion, Lakeland College Rustlers, in five sets on Friday in the quarter-final.
The Queens rebounded with a three-set sweep over the SAIT Trojans, before beating The King’s University Eagles in four in the fifth/sixth place game.
Queens coach Talbot Walton was honoured over the weekend as the ACAC South Coach of the Year.
“I want to congratulate Talbot on receiving this recognition,” said Randy Stewart, Manager, Athletics and Student Life, Red Deer Polytechnic.
“Talbot’s dedication, leadership and ability to elevate his student-athletes has been exceptional, and earning the ACAC Women’s Volleyball South Coach of the Year is a well‑deserved recognition. He continues to set a standard of excellence for our program, both on and off the court. We’re incredibly proud of Talbot’s achievements and the culture of growth he inspires in the Queens.”
Walton has led the Queens to more than 315 ACAC wins, secured two Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) National Championships, four ACAC Championships and numerous conference and national medals. He previously earned five ACAC Coach of the Year awards along with a CCAA Coach of the Year honour, cementing his legacy as one of the most accomplished coaches in the conference.
Queens outside hitter Nadia McKeage was named an ACAC South all-conference outside hitter, while Autumn Letwin was selected as an ACAC South all-conference middle and Maddy DeZutter was ACAC South all-conference libero.
Red Deer’s Chenee Lehman, who plays for The King’s University Eagles, was named the ACAC North Player of the Year and was an all-conference libero.