ANTIGONISH, NS - STFX captain and player of the game Maggy Burbidge's (Falmouth, NS) overtime goal drew the STFX X-Women even in their Atlantic University Sport semi-final series with the St. Thomas Tommies on Thursday night at the Charles V Keating Centre.
Burbidge, who was recently named a second-team AUS all-star, intercepted a pass at centre ice, skated in and roofed one in the final minute of overtime for the 4-3 win.
The Tommies were first on the scoreboard again in Game 2, with Trinity Weber (Brampton, ON) pouncing on a rebound from in close and finding pay dirt. Assists went to Ekaterina Pelowich (Stouffville, ON) and Nadia Lavoie (St. Isidore, AB).
St. Thomas made it a two-goal game just under a minute later, as Lauren Smith (Truro, NS) got the last stick to puck in front of the net after a point shot from Amy Dvernichuk (Regina, SK) while on the powerplay.
The visitors continued to dominate play early, holding the high powered STFX offence to only a pair of shots in the first 10 minutes. STFX rallied though, and Landyn Pitts (Antigonish, NS) made it a one goal game with about eight minutes to go in the period, tipping home a point shot from Terryn Mozes (Kanata, ON) and Anna MacCara (Trenton, NS).
St. Thomas goalie and AUS second team all-star Katie Sweeney (Tecumseh, ON) made a couple of big saves late, and the period ended 2-1 in favour of the visitors.
Second year STFX forward and third star of the game Alyssa Fitt (Stellarton, NS) tied the game five minutes into the second period with her first goal of the season, knocking home a rebound from a shot by Vivian Hinch (Vancouver, BC).
The X-Women had a pair of powerplays midway through the stanza, but weren't able to convert. Both teams pushed for the go-ahead goal but the period ended 2-2. Shots at the end of 40 minutes were 23-21 in favour of STFX.
X-Woman forward Grace Goyner (Nanaimo, BC) broke the deadlock six minutes into the third period, with the rookie getting the last touch on a point shot from fellow first year player and AUS all-rookie Mackenzie Lothian (Alliston, ON), while Joanna Martinsen (Thunder Bay, ON) had the second assist.
The Tommies replied five minutes later though, with Laura Brown firing home a high shot from the low slot, for her second goal of the series, with the assist going to captain Ekaterina Pelowich (Stoufville, ON). The score remained 3-3 until the end of regulation, setting the table for Burbidge's game winner.
Shots at the end of the game were 45-30 in favour of STFX. Sweeney, who was named second star of the game, had 41 saves on the night for the Tommies. Amaya Giraudier (Assiniboia, SK) made 27 saves for STFX while picking up the win.
Game 3 of the series goes Sunday afternoon, February 25th at 3:00 pm in Fredericton, with Game 4 also scheduled in Fredericton Monday at 7:00 pm. Game 5, if necessary, will be back in Antigonish on Thursday, February 29th.
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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics