Tommies force deciding Game 5 with overtime win over X-Women

FREDERICTON, NB - Tristyn Endicott's goal at 9:29 of the second overtime lifted the St. Thomas Tommies to another scrappy win over the visiting STFX X-Women on Wednesday night in Atlantic University Sport semifinal playoff hockey action.  

With the win, the Tommies extended the best of five AUS semi-final series to a fifth and deciding game. It marked the second game of the series to go to overtime, and the third time the winner was held to two goals. 

STFX got on the board three minutes into the game, as Terryn Mozes ripped one in off the bar from the point after a faceoff win by Ireland McCloskey.

WHKY AUS SF: Here's a look at the lone 1st period goal off the stick of STFX's Terryn Mozes! #goxgo pic.twitter.com/bBkE926RwY

— StFX Athletics (@StFXAthletics) March 5, 2025

The Tommies went on the powerplay minutes later, but the X-Women remained unscathed, thanks in part to a pair of blocked shots by Kandyn Switzer.

The Tommies came close to scoring, with the goal judge lighting the lamp, but it was waved off. The play was even, with the Tommies holding a 10-6 shot advantage after 20 minutes. 

The teams traded scoring chances for much of the second period, with STFX continuing to test St. Thomas goalie Katie Sweeney as they pulled ahead in shots. The Tommies then looked dangerous on a late powerplay but couldn't bury the biscuit.

The home team came out fast in the third, as they tried to tie things up. A powerplay five minutes into the final stanza saw the Tommies look dangerous but it was Jordan Chaulk's even strength goal off a scramble that knotted the game with 12 minutes to go. Natalie MacKay had the assist on the goal, the second of the season and first of the playoffs from Chaulk. 

St. Thomas picked up the pressure from there, but Bianca Zak held strong and kept the door shut in the X net as overtime loomed. Ireland McCloskey broke in alone for STFX with 45 seconds to go but was hauled down, leading to a powerplay. 

After the powerplay ended early in the first overtime, the teams traded chances with Zak and Sweeney denying shooters left and right.

The Tommies were flying in the second overtime, as they fought to keep their season alive, and Endicott ended things nine minutes in, with her second chance shot making into the back of the net through a crowd.

Endicott and Mozes were named the players of the game for their respective teams. 

The series returns to Antigonish on Friday night, Match 7 for the deciding Game 5, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. at the Charles V Keating Centre.

The winner will earn an automatic berth in the U SPORTS women's hockey championship tournament in Waterloo and take on the UNB REDS for the AUS title in a best-of-three series. 

-30-

Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics