The CIS ranked No. 5 StFX X-Women punched their ticket into the Subway AUS championship game with a 3-2 victory over the UPEI Panthers Saturday evening in Sackville, NB. The X-Women came back from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Panthers, redeeming a 2-1 loss suffered to the same UPEI squad in last year’s AUS semifinal.
Daniela Falconio scored an empty net goal with only two seconds left on the clock as the Panthers were pressing for the equalizer. After losing to the Mount Allison Mounties 2-1 on Friday, UPEI needed to beat the X-Women by two goals in order to qualify for Sunday’s final.
The AUS fourth seeded Panthers and defending AUS champions were first on the board as Kiana Strand connected on the power play only 2:21 into the game. Jocelyn Dougan assisted as Strand banged in a rebound past StFX goaltender Kristy Garrow.
The X-Women had several scoring opportunities in the first period as they pressured the UPEI net but couldn’t solve Panthers netminder Kristy Dobson early on.
UPEI took advantage of a StFX defensive giveaway as Samantha Sweet picked up the puck in the slot and fired a shot high over the glove of Garrow to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead at 15:45. Maggie Grimmer assisted.
The X-Women closed the gap before the first period was over, however, as Jenna Pitts connected on a blast from inside the point while on the power play with 1:34 left. Aby Laking picked up the helper on the play as the X-Women outshot the Panthers 9-8 in the opening frame.
The AUS top seeded X-Women came out firing in the second period though Dobson was solid in the Panthers net. StFX almost tied the game while on the power play at the 12 minute mark as they had several shots on goal and the puck bobbled around the Panthers crease but did not go in.
Subway player of the game Alex Normore, two-time AUS most valuable player, tied the game for the X-Women as she came streaking down the wing and fired a slap shot from just inside the faceoff circle to beat Dobson low and through the five-hole at 14:40. Sara Kaljuvee assisted.
Molly MacDonald nearly scoffed the go-ahead as she had a great scoring chance from the opposite wing with a minute and a half to play in the second period, but was stopped by Dobson.
Shots were 11-3 in favor of the X-Women in the second period as the 2-2 score held after 40 minutes of play.
The third period saw the X-Women spending a lot of their time on the penalty kill as they were called for four minor infractions.
Captain Jenna Downey had a great opportunity to score the go-ahead marker as she streaked in on a breakaway after breaking loose from the penalty box but was stopped by Dobson.
The two teams exchanged power play chances but neither could pull the trigger in a physical third period.
The Panthers saw a window of opportunity when they were awarded a power play with 1:59 to play. After pulling the goaltender with 42 seconds left on the clock, the Panthers were pressing in the StFX zone, but Falconio came up with the puck and made no mistake into the empty net from a long shot down ice to seal the 3-2 victory for StFX and prevent extra time.
Shots were 28-15 in favor of the X-Women as Garrow earned the win in nets with 13 saves. Dobson was the player of the game for the Panthers for her 25 save effort.
With the win the X-Women advance to play the third seeded Saint Mary’s Huskies in the Subway AUS championship game slated for 4:00 pm at the Tantramar Civic Centre in Sackville. Saint Mary’s advanced with wins over Moncton (4-1) and St. Thomas (3-1).
The Huskies handed the X-Women their only loss of the AUS regular season, a 2-1 game in Halifax back on November 2nd during their first meeting of the season. The X-Women then picked up wins of 2-1 (shootout), 6-1 and 2-1 (overtime) in their other encounters. The Huskies are coached by former X-Women assistant coach Chris Larade, who led them to a respectable 12-8-4 season after finishing in the AUS basement last year at 1-22-1.