Halifax, NS - The Saint Mary's Huskies recorded a convincing 6-0 shutout win over the StFX X-Women Saturday night at the Dauphinee Centre.
Special teams in the first period were key, as the Huskies scored two power play goals. The first, five minutes into the game, was a tip in the slot by Mary McDonald (Calgary, AB) off of a shot from the point from Caleigh Meraw (Red Deer, AB). The puck went high over the shoulder of X-Women goalie Jamie Johnson (Victoria, BC).
With four minutes left in the period, the Huskies were on a two-man advantage and McDonald scored her second goal of the game after a battle just in front of the net.
The Huskies led 2-0 going into the second period, but it didn't stay that way for long: winning a battle in the corner, Siobhan Birch (Mississauga, ON) walked out front and scored an unassisted goal to make it 3-0 for Saint Mary's just over a minute into the period.
A series of penalties continued. On a shorthanded breakaway, StFX forward Emerson Elliott (Aurora, ON) had a great scoring chance, but goalie Rebecca Clark was solid for the Huskies.
Playing four-on-four hockey, Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB), won a foot race to a puck dumped near the half wall in the X-Women's zone. She passed across the crease to Hatt for a tap in goal as the Huskies went up 4-0 with about 11 minutes left in the period.
Less than two minutes later, the Huskies scored on the power play as Ellen Laurence (Kentville, NS) made it 5-0. After that, the X-Women pulled Johnson, replacing her with third year goalie Cassidy McEwen (Lloydminster, AB).
Shots in the second period were just 5-4 in the home team's favor.
With 17 minutes left in the third period, Hatt came down the right wing and with two X-Women defense putting pressure on her, put a nicely placed shot that went high blocker side past McEwen for her second goal of the game.
After a dominant performance with two goals and two assists, Hatt was named the Subway Player of the Game.
In upcoming action, the Huskies host the Dalhousie Tigers on October 30th, while the X-Women travel to Halifax on November 1st to visit the Tigers.
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Courtesy Sarah Moore, SMU Communications