Antigonish, NS - The U SPORTS No. 7 ranked STFX X-Women took a 2-0 lead in their best of five AUS semi-final playoff series against the Saint Mary's Huskies, thanks to a 5-3 victory at the Charles V. Keating Centre on Thursday night.

The Huskies came out quick in the first, similar to Wednesday's game, with a strong forecheck and carried much of the early play. The X-Women also looked tough and kept their composure before taking the fight back to the Huskies. 

STFX forward Kamdyn Switzer (Stittsville, ON) got her first goal of the post season about halfway through the period, one-timing a shot off a pass from Ellie Brown (Kemptville, ON).

The rest of the period was back and forth, with both teams getting chances. Saint Mary's leading scorer and AUS first team all-star Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB) sniped one far side with only 23 seconds left in the period.

Shots after 20 minutes were fairly even with STFX holding a slight 9-8 edge.

Both teams came to the ice firing on all cylinders after the intermission, with each side creating chances.

Shortly after STFX goalie Jamie Johnson (Victoria, BC) made a big save on a breakaway at the 4:30 marker of the second, Kya Moss (Port Moody, BC) got the puck just inside the Saint Mary's blueline and ripped one bar down for her first goal in the blue and white.

STFX's Abby Lewis (Kanata, ON) made it 3-1 less than a minute later, getting the last stick to the puck off a shot from teammate Jayden Thompson (Aurora, ON).

The Huskies got one back with about five minutes left in the period, with Maddy McCleary (Swift Current, SK) putting one in short side from the point off a drop pass from Jillian Duggan (Halifax, NS).

SMU pressed for the equalizer but Johnson kept the door shut. Shots at the end of the second were 22-20 in favour of the X-Women.

The Huskies pressed hard early in the third period, creating a couple of solid chances in the first few minutes, but it was X-Woman Chloe Vukosa (Mississauga, ON) who hit twine first, chipping the puck around a defender and fitting it in short side for an unassisted effort.

Saint Mary's buzzed during a two-player advantage with about six minutes gone, but the X-Women penalty kill weathered the storm. The Huskies did find a goal at the 11-minute marker, with Ashley Penny (Lawrencetown, NS) going five hole off a shot from the slot.

SMU began to carry the play and pour shots on the STFX net after the goal. The Huskies pulled their goalie with about a minute left in hopes of drawing even, but it was U SPORTS leading scorer Maggy Burbidge (Falmouth, NS) sealing the 5-3 STFX victory for the X-Women with an empty net goal.

Johnson made 31 saves in the win, earning Subway player of the game honours for STFX, while Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) made 22 stops for the visitors. SMU defense Abigail MacKenzie (Stellarton, NS) was the Subway player of the game for her squad, who outshot the X-Women 14-5 in the final period.

Final shots in the game were 34-27 in favour of Saint Mary's.

The semi-final series now shifts to Halifax for Game three, scheduled for Sunday evening at 7 p.m. Game four, if necessary, is set for Monday, also in Halifax at 7:00, with Game five, if necessary, slated for Thursday, March 2, in Antigonish at 7 p.m.

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics

With a 31 save performance in tonight's 5-3 victory over SMU, Jamie Johnson is the X-Women's Subway Player of the Game! #goxgo #SubwayFuel pic.twitter.com/tIqsDnBmbR

— StFX Athletics (@StFXAthletics) February 24, 2023