Huskies upend X-Women 3-1

Antigonish, NS - The U SPORTS No. 2 ranked Saint Mary's Huskies skated away with a 3-1 win over the 8th ranked STFX X-Women Sunday afternoon at the Charles V. Keating Centre.

Saint Mary's came out of the gate strong, but the X-Women pushed back and kept things even. STFX had a great chance on their first power play about five minutes into the game that sailed high. The Huskies hit the post just over two minutes later but both teams went into the locker room without a goal on the Scoreboard. Shots at the end of the period were 10-8 in favour of the Huskies.

It was X that came out fast in the second period, pinning SMU in their own end. The Huskies managed a breakaway chance but X-Women goalie Amaya Giraudier (Assiniboia, SK) made the save in close.

STFX opened the scoring two seconds after coming off a power play at 10:49. Ella Vandesompel (London, ON) passed the puck from the point to Maggie Burbidge (Falmouth, NS) in the low slot. Burbidge tried a shot but it was blocked. The puck came out to the front of the net and Abby Lewis (Kanata, ON) fired it into the Huskies net.

SMU evened the score with a power play marker at 15:22. After Vandesompel blocked a hard shot the puck went to SMU forward Kara MacLean (Antigonish, NS). MacLean passed it back to Ellen Laurence (Kentville, NS), who fed Maddy Corbett (Sydney, NS) at the point and Corbett's shot found the back of the X net though a big screen.

Shots at the end of the second were 21-13 in favour of STFX.

With the X-Women taking a late penalty in the second, it was SMU starting the third period on a power play and they capitalized 52 seconds in. A shot from Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB) led to a scramble in front of the StFX net and the puck made its way over to Mary MacDonald (Calgary, AB) who tucked it into the open side.

SMU pulled ahead less than four minutes later. A Madelyn McCleary (Swift Current, SK) point shot made its way in through another screen, giving the Huskies all they needed. Laura Horwood (Grandfalls-Windsor, NL) and Keyara Nelson (Belleville, ON) earned the assists.

STFX called a time out with 1:58 left to play and pulled their goalie. X put on the pressure but a late penalty left them a player down and the game ended 3-1.

Shots at the end of the game were 26-19 in favour of the X-Women.

SMU goalie Dagny Hudspeth (Burlington, ON) was named first star and Subway player of the game, as she posted 24 saves in the victory. STFX's Landyn Pitts (Antigonish, NS) was the second star and SMU's Corbett was the third star.

X-Women goaltender Giraudier made 15 saves in the loss.

StFX next hits the ice on Wednesday, November 24, when they will take on the Dalhousie Tigers.

SMU will look to keep their nine game win streak going as they take on the No. 3 U SPORTS ranked UNB Reds on Saturday, November 27.

-30-

Courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Sports Information