X-Women blank rival Huskies 2-0

ANTIGONISH- The STFX X-Women took home a hard fought victory on Friday night, dropping the visiting Saint Mary's Huskies 2-0 at the Charles V Keating Centre.

The X-Women controlled play early in the first period, generating 10 shots to only one for the Huskies in the first 10 minutes. A mid-period powerplay by the Huskies allowed for a few more chances but neither team was able to break the deadlock early.

Vivian Hinch (Vancouver, BC), who was named second star of the game, almost opened the scoring in the final three minutes but she hit the post with a wrist shot, followed by Ireland McCloskey (Barrie, ON) doing the same a few second later. Shots at the end of the first 20 minutes were 14-4 in favour of the X-Women.

The back and forth play continued early in the second period before the X-Women were able to get on the scoreboard. First year forward Kalle Hastman (Calgary, AB) hit Ashlyn Garnett (Dartmouth, NS) with a breakout pass, creating a two-on-one, with Garnet feeding rookie and player of the game Joanna Martinsen (Thunder Bay, ON) who knocked it in the net. That was the only goal of the period, with STFX leading in shots 24-9 after 40 minutes.

The Huskies came close to tying the game twice in the third but hit the post both times. Rookie X-Women defender Mackenzie Lothian (Alliston, ON) doubled the home team's lead about midway though the third while on the powerplay, picking up a pass from Ella VandeSompel (London, ON) as she crossed the redline, and then beating two defenders before potting one off her own rebound.

Both teams had plenty of chances on the powerplay, with a total of 24 minutes in penalties being assessed to the teams, but STFX was the only one to convert. Shots at the end of the game were 33-19 in favor of the home team.

Huskies goalie Sophie Scully (Ottawa, ON), who picked up third star of the game, had a strong showing in net, making 31 saves on the night while picking up the loss. X-Women netminder Amaya Giraudier (Assiniboia, SK) picked up her fourth win of the season, making 19 saves for the shut out.

It was the second win in a row for the X-Women, who will look to keep the points coming when they host the UPEI Panthers on Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. The Huskies return to the ice on Saturday night, when they host the Dalhousie Tigers at 7 p.m.

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics