HALIFAX, NS - The STFX X-Women are off to the AUS championship series after a 4-0 shutout victory over the Saint Mary's Huskies in Game 4 of the AUS semi-finals at the Dauphinee Centre on Monday night.

The X-Women win the series 3-1 and will now face the UNB Reds in the best of three AUS championship series. The win also clinched the X-Women a spot in the U SPORTS national championship in Montreal March 16-19 as the AUS conference receives two berths.

In Game 4 action, just 40 seconds into the first period, STFX forward Chloe Vukosa (Mississauga, ON) gathered the puck down low and fired it past Huskies goaltender Sophie Scully (Ottawa, ON) to give the X-Women an early lead.

A few minutes later, X-Women forward Abby Lewis (Kanata, ON) capitalized on a pass from teammate Maggy Burbidge (Falmouth, NS) from behind the net.

The Huskies pressed to cut into the early deficit, and had a great opportunity when all-star forward Shae DeMale (Red Deer, AB) went into the STFX zone on a one-on-one; however, X-Women goaltender Jamie Johnson (Victoria, BC) was there to shut the door.

The Huskies went on the penalty kill at the seven-minute mark, and weren't able to fend off the dangerous STFX powerplay, as AUS all-star defender Lauren Dabrowski (Tiny, ON) scored, putting the X-Women ahead 3-0.

The Huskies made a goaltender switch halfway through the first period, which saw Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) replace Scully in nets.

As the minutes ticked down in the first period, the Huskies offense started to come alive and found themselves on the powerplay. The Huskies powerplay controlled the play and had some good chances, however, X-Women goaltender Johnson stood firm.

As the teams headed into the first intermission, the X-Women led the Huskies in shots 16-10.  

The start of the second period saw both teams come out focused and trading great offensive chances. 

At the halfway mark of the second period, the Huskies powerplay went to work, searching for their first goal but the X-Women penalty kill held strong.

Not even a minute later, the Huskies got another chance at the powerplay; however, they were unable to score as X forward Lea MacLeod (Dartmouth, NS) came up with some big blocks.

As the final minutes of the second period wound down, Saint Mary's forward Aimee O'Neil (Glace Bay, NS) fought through a one-on-three with an excellent chance for the Huskies; but X-Women goaltender Jamie Johnson was there to make the save.

Heading into the second intermission, the X-Women led the Huskies in shots 24-22.

The STFX offense struck again at the halfway mark of the third period when Dabrowski passed it out front to teammate MacLeod, who found the back of the net, putting the X-Women up 4-0.

The final shots in the game were 34-31 in favor of the X-Women. STFX goaltender Jamie Johnson was named Subway Player of the Game for the X-Women, stopping 31 shots for the shutout victory. Huskies goaltender Ridleigh Hansen was named Subway Player of the Game for the home team, stopping 24 of 25 shots faced in relief.

STFX moves on to the AUS championship finals for the sixth consecutive year, where they'll face the UNB Reds in a rematch of last year's AUS final. The schedule for the AUS best of three championship series will be announced Wednesday.

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Recap by Alyson Duffy / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics

Posting a 32 save shutout, Jamie Johnson is the X-Women's Subway Player of the Game in tonight's 4-0 semifinal victory over Saint Mary's! #goxgo #SubwayFuel pic.twitter.com/rJisDGVgQ0

— StFX Athletics (@StFXAthletics) February 28, 2023