A desperate NAIT Ooks were the better team early, but the Queens had generated the first quality chance, and Ooks netminder Havana Batke made a few key saves. The Ooks were awarded the first powerplay of the night, and they created a few high-danger opportunities, but Tanya Disotell-Dunsmore looked to be on her game. It was a back-and-forth first period, with both teams trading chances, but the Ooks had more success getting pucks through. The Queens opened the scoring in the dying moments as Natalie Buttle received a two-on-one pass and had some room to break in, where she ripped it over the shoulder of Batke. The Queens took their 1-0 to the break. Ooks outshot Red Deer 10-4 in the opening frame.
Early in the second, the Queens had the Ooks hemmed in their end and came close to doubling their lead, but Batke stood tall. Just moments later, Disotell-Dunsmore robbed two Ooks forwards who were left alone in front. The Ooks were pressing hard for the equalizer throwing everything at the net. Ooks had utterly dominated the opening ten minutes Disotell-Dunsmore was a brick wall between the pipes. Queens broke in on a breakaway, but Batke made a great save holding the Queens lead to one. Red Deer had another breakaway moments later but failed to record a shot. The Ooks got back to work, and Jessica Engelbrecht finally found a way to beat Disotell-Dunsmore, ripping one over her shoulder to tie the game at one late, and that's where it stood heading into the final frame. Ooks outshot the Queens 18-6 in the second period.
The Queens were awarded their first powerplay of the night early in the final frame but couldn't muster anything out of it. Red Deer scored at the midway point, but the referee called it off, and the Ooks caught a huge break. Both teams were gripping their sticks tight in the tie game, and it was a back-and-forth affair with neither team creating too much offensively. The Queens continued to press and had a glorious chance late in the third, but Batke, who has been fantastic when tested, made an excellent save to keep it tied. The two clubs needed free hockey to settle this one.
In the extra frame, Avery Lajeunnesse grabbed the loose puck behind the net and wrapped it past Batke for the overtime winner, and the Red Deer Queens are the 2023 ACAC Champions.