Charlottetown, PE – The STFX X-Women improved to 3-0 on the season with a 6-3 victory over the UPEI Panthers Saturday night.
After four games, the UPEI Panthers are still searching for their first win. This time, it wasn't for lack of offence, as the Panthers scored three goals against STFX. Unfortunately for them, they surrendered six, including three unanswered.
STFX's Ellie Brown and Ireland McCloskey netted a pair of goals each, while Kalle Hastman and Maggy Burbidge also found the back of the net. Ella VandeSomple had two assists in the win.
The Panthers came into the game with much more intensity than the night before and were rewarded with a goal less than four minutes in. After Carly Thompson's shot deflected off the goalie and ricocheted off the end boards, the puck slid in front to Paige Outhouse, who slipped one by Amaya Giraudier.
The X-Women responded with a power play goal at 12:31 when Terryn Mozes passed it ahead to Brown, who beat Erin Cabaday top shelf.
The back-and-forth affair continued in the ensuing minutes, with UPEI striking next. Brooke Henderson netted her first AUS goal at 14:03, as she beat a defender with a nifty move before tucking a wrist shot in the top left corner for the 2-1 advantage.
However, that lead was short-lived as the X-Women tied it up a little over two minutes later. McKiya Mazur battled for the puck along the boards and centred a pass for Hastman, who wired a wrist shot by the goalie.
STFX took their first lead of the game shortly after on a goal by Ireland McCloskey. Tea Pearce raced to the corner and centred a pass to McCloskey, who, on one knee, pushed the one-timer past Cabaday at 18:40 and led 3-2 after the opening period.
The Panthers would tie it again early in the second period before the X-Women took over. On a power play at 3:22, Chiara Esposito took a pass from behind the net and skated in front before flipping a backhand in the far side corner.
Shortly after, Burbidge gave STFX the definitive lead on a relentless play where the veteran forward chased down a Panther defender, forced a turnover in the attacking zone and roofed a wrist shot for the go-ahead goal.
The Panthers had a chance to even the score again after Kierra St. Peter was awarded a penalty shot at 8:15, but Giraudier kept with the sophomore forward and made the athletic kick save to preserve the lead.
About a minute and a half later, McCloskey added to her team's lead on another power play goal. The puck cycled to Mackenzie Lothian, whose shot from the top of the right circle was tipped in front by the rookie forward to make it 5-3 heading into the third period.
Brown added her second goal of the night at 9:21 when she took a cross-ice pass from VandeSompel and fired one off the netminder before landing in the back of the net.
Brown was named STFX's Players of the Game, while Henderson earned the honour for UPEI.
The Panthers will host the Mount Allison Mounties next Saturday, while STFX looks for their fourth straight win Friday night against the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues in New Brunswick.
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Recap courtesy Thomas Becker, UPEI Athletics