Antigonish, NS - The StFX X-Women extended their winning streak to 12 games atop the AUS conference but they needed overtime to do so, defeating the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues 3-2 Saturday afternoon game at the Charles V. Keating Centre.
The U SPORTS No. 3 ranked X-Women held onto a slim lead through almost 60 minutes of play thanks to two second period goals from captain Daley Oddy (Cranbrook, BC), but a late third period goal from the AUS fifth place Aigles Bleues saw both teams fight it out in 4-on-4 overtime.
The opening frame saw both teams unable to capitalize on their respective power play opportunity. Despite hard fought efforts from both teams the score remained scoreless, with the Aigles Bleues outshooting the X-Women 6-5.
Things ramped up in the second period when Oddy scored her first goal of the afternoon five-hole on Moncton goaltender Gabrielle Forget (Juliette, QC), following a pass from the bottom of the circle by Emerson Elliott (Aurora, ON) at 7:10. Oddy added the tally just seven seconds into an X-Women power play.
At 15:48, while Moncton was on the power play, forward Brittany Poitras (Saint-Andre, NB) accepted a pass from the point and slid it to the front of the net. Janelle Graham (Dieppe, NB) was able to beat sprawling X-Women goaltender Cassidy McEwan (Lloydminster, AB).
Oddy answered the Aigle Bleues goal just over a minute later following a scramble off the face-off in the opposing zone. A persistent effort from the X-Women in front of the net lead to Oddy's second of the game, off an assist from linemate Sarah Bujold (Riverview, NB).
Shots in the second period favoured StFX 14-6.
The X-Women held on to the lead until 1:41 was left in the third period. Aigles Bleues forward Marie-Pier Corriveau (Magog, QC), assisted by Jennifer Arsenault (Moncton, NB), scored the game-tying goal that forced the overtime period. Corriveau found the puck after it was redirected below the blue line and fired it past McEwan.
Shots in the third period narrowly favoured StFX 8-7.
The crowd of close to 200 people were treated to 1:42 of 4-on-4 overtime before Lindsey Donovan (Miramichi, NB) slid the puck to Kate Gotaas (Sherwood Park, AB) in the slot. Gotaas made no mistake, beating Forget for the game-winner in front of a cheerful home audience.
Shots in the game favoured StFX at 33-19, with Moncton unable to fire a single shot on goal during the brief overtime period.
For her two-goal effort, U SPORTS leading scorer Daley Oddy was named the game's first star and Subway player of the game. Gotaas was the second star and Moncton's Corriveau was the third star.
Next on the AUS schedule, the X-Women will take on Dalhousie February 9th for their last home game of the regular season. Puck drop is 7:00 pm at the StFX Keating Centre. Moncton will also play on February 9th at 7:00 pm when they visit Saint Mary's in Halifax.
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Courtesy Kiana Pace, StFX Sports Information