X-Women hold off Huskies comeback attempt in 4-3 win

HALIFAX, NS – The STFX X-Women were able to hold off a late comeback and defeat the Saint Mary's Huskies 4-3 in Atlantic University Sport women's hockey action on Saturday night at the Dauphinee Centre.

The Huskies scored the opening goal, just over a minute into the action, as forward Ashley Penney (Lawrencetown, NS) carried the puck over the blue line and played a pass to defender Abigail MacKenzie (Stellarton, NS) who fired a wrist shot off the post, but Penney jumped on the rebound to score her first goal of the campaign, giving Saint Mary's a 1-0 lead just 1:03 into the first period.

Moments later, Saint Mary's forward Charlotte Buffie (Winnipeg, MB) attempted to double the lead as she deked through a pair of X-Women defenders and fired a shot that was turned away by STFX goaltender Bianca Zak (Stonewall, MB).

The X-Women nearly responded when forward Anna MacCara (Yellowknife, NWT) was sparked on a breakaway, but Saint Mary's goaltender Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) made the stop.

STFX pushed for an equalizer over the remainder of the period, outshooting the Huskies 12-9, but Hansen turned away all attempts and the Huskies took a 1-0 lead into first intermission.

In the second period, Saint Mary's struggled to initiate much offence, even on a powerplay attempt midway through the period. Seconds after the Huskies powerplay expired, X-Women forward Alexis Perry (Brooklin, ON) was sent on a breakaway and fired a high shot over Hansen's shoulder, tying the game at 1-1, 11:48 into the second period.

The X-Women outshot the Huskies 14-4 in the second period, taking a 26-13 lead for the game, and the two rival teams went into second intermission tied 1-1.

The Huskies began the third period on a powerplay, and were able to generate some attempts from forwards Gillian Lapierre (Port Coquitlam, BC) and Kara MacLean (Antigonish, NS) but Zak turned both away, as the X-Women killed off both of the Huskies powerplay attempts on the night.

Two minutes into the third period, the X-Women took their first lead of the game, as forward Joanna Martinsen (Thunder Bay, ON) received a pass from linemate Kameryn Lahey (Catalone, NS) and fired a shot that beat Hansen high to give STFX a 2-1 lead.

Just over five minutes later, the X-Women would add to their lead on a strange play, as forward Tea Pearce (Calgary, AB) fired a high shot that ricocheted off of Hansen's mask, appearing to break a helmet strap – Hansen's signalled to the official to stop play, but X-Women forward Kamdyn Switzer quickly jumped on the rebound and stuffed the puck into goal. After a long discussion, the referees signalled a good goal, extending the STFX lead to 3-1, 7:36 into the third period.

The X-Women struck again just over a minute later. After a scramble in front of the Huskies net, defender Bree MacPherson (Antigonish, NS) fired a shot through traffic that beat Hansen, growing the lead to 4-1 at the 8:38 mark.

Saint Mary's made a goalie change as Ashley Imlach (Newtonville, ON) replaced Hansen. Seconds after being inserted in the game, Imlach stopped Kameryn Lahey with a glove save.

The Huskies nearly sparked a comeback, scoring two goals before the night was over. First it was forward Mia Faseruk (Winnipeg, MB) who took a pass from linemate Ava Shearer (Windsor, NS) and skated across the blue line, bouncing wide left to evade a X-Women defender and firing a shot from a tough angle that fluttered over Zak's shoulder, cutting the lead to 4-2, with 6:45 remaining in regulation.

Just under two minutes later, the Huskies made it a one goal game, as Gillian Lapierre crossed the blue line and fired a long shot, with the rebound bouncing onto the stick of Jillian Duggan (Halifax, NS) who deflected it past Zak into goal to make it 4-3 with 4:51 left in the period.

Saint Mary's pushed hard for the tying goal, pulling Imlach for an extra attacker and had the puck in X-Women territory, but STFX did a great job of shutting down shooting lanes and blocking shots, securing the 4-3 victory.

X-Women forward Kamdyn Switzer was named Player of the Game, scoring a goal and leading STFX with four shots on goal, along with a perfect 3/3 on faceoffs.

The X-Women outshot the Huskies 35-29 on the evening, with Bianca Zak stopping 26 shots for the win, while Ridleigh Hansen turned away 29 shots and Ashley Imlach stopped two shots in relief.

The X-Women's fourth straight win improves their record to 9-2-1-2 on the campaign, as they move into a three way tie a top the AUS standings with 21 points. STFX will return to Halifax next week, as they visit the Dalhousie Tigers (10-3-1-0) on Wednesday, Nov. 20 on 7 p.m. at the Halifax Forum.

The Huskies fourth straight loss drops their record to 6-6-1-1 on the season. Saint Mary's will look to bounce back on home ice on Friday, Nov. 22, as they host the Moncton Aigles Bleues (8-3-2-1) at 7 p.m. at the Dauphinee Centre.

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Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics