Antigonish, NS - The StFX X-Women (13-7) skated to a 3-1 win over the visiting UPEI Panthers (13-8) in Atlantic University Sport hockey action Sunday afternoon at Keating Centre, their fifth consecutive victory.
In a scoreless first period, the Panthers did not record a shot until nine minutes into the contest.
Both teams came up empty on their lone power play opportunities.
X-Women captain Kara Power (New Glasgow, NS) garnered the best scoring chance of the opening stanza, but Marie Soleil Deschenes (Ile-Bizard, QC) made a sparkling glove save.
In the second period, it was the Heather Tillsley (Aurora, ON) show, with the senior defender scoring a pair of goals to give the X-Women a 2-0 advantage.
At 2:06, off a goal-mouth scramble, Tillsley poked a loose pick home from the edge of the crease. Kara Power and Connor Garagan (Fredericton, NB) collected the assists.
After Sarah Bujold (Riverview, NB) made a sensational rush into the Panther zone, Tillsley ended up with the puck just inside the blue line and uncoiled a low blast that cleanly beat a screened Deschenes. Alley Goodreau (Airdrie, AB) had the other assist.
In the third period, at the 1:20 mark, with Sarah Johnson (Moncton, NB) poking in a loose puck, StFX led 3-0. The goal was an unassisted tally.
At 7:20, on the power play, Panthers forward Sydnee Baker (Chatham, ON) put a rebound in the top corner, off a Bria Harding (Plaster Rock, NB) point shot to make it 3-1.
With the Panthers trying to rally the X-Women defense tightened, including goaltender Ariana Orasanin (Ancaster, ON), who made a great stop off Harding, along with back-to-back stops, from close quarters, on Jenna Pellerin (Halifax, NS) and captain Kiana Strand (Inveremere, BC).
Tillsley was named Subway player of the game and first star, while Bujold and Deschenes received second and third star nods, respectively.
Orasanin made 17 saves for the win, while Deschenes turned aside 30 shots in the loss.
The teams will be back in action for a re-match on Friday, Feb 3, when they face-off in Charlottetown. The game was rescheduled from Jan. 8th. Puck drop is set for 7 pm.