Halifax, NS - The Dalhousie Tigers defeated the STFX X-Women 1-0 Wednesday night at the Halifax Forum.
The Tigers clinched a playoff berth with the victory over the first place seeded X-Women.
In the first period, STFX outshot Dalhousie 15-11. The X-Women started with several shots on goal, but Grace Beer (Oakville, ON) stood tall, making three saves in the game's first minute.
The STFX dominance would pause as Amaya Giraudier (Assiniboia, SK) made eight consecutive saves as the Tigers put on the pressure.
Beer had to remain sharp as Ireland McCloskey (Barrie, ON) found the puck in the crease off a rebound, calmly making the save.
With just above three minutes left of the period, Tea Pearce (Calgary, AB) received the puck from a turnover at the blue line. Pearce walked in and took a wrist shot in the high slot, ringing off the post.
The Tigers would escape the period after Pearce's opportunity, with the score remaining scoreless.
McCloskey came down the left wing and took a wrist shot in the opening moments of the second period but Beer made the save. McCloskey got the puck again seconds later, bringing the puck into the slot. Beer fought off the shot with her mask, keeping the game scoreless.
The Tigers moved the puck around swiftly in the offensive zone throughout the second period, generating chances.
At13:37 into the period, Brooklyn Paisley (Shawinigan, BC) received a saucer pass from Kennedy Whelan (Alliston, ON) at STFX's blueline. Paisley walked in and sniped it glove side as DAL took the lead in the game and would hold onto it heading into the third period.
With 15:48 left in the final period, Whelan shot a wrister high as Giraudier fought it off.
Beer remained sensational in the Tigers net, as moments later, Anna MacCara (Yellowknife, NWT) went to the forehand on a breakaway, and Beer made the pad save.
In the final five minutes, the X-Women pressured the Tigers heavily. Beer was able to hold off the STFX attack, making a remarkable toe save off a rebound to secure the win.
Beer finished with 56 saves in the shutout victory, securing player of the game honours. Giraudier made 31 saves for X in the loss.
The Tigers will next see AUS action on Feb. 9 in Fredericton when they play UNB. The X-Women next play on this coming Saturday night, also against UNB on the road.
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Recap courtesy Dalhousie Athletics