(HALIFAX, NS) The Saint Mary's Huskies scored a pair of empty net goals to seal their 4-1 win over the UNB Reds, in game one of their Atlantic University Sport semi final series on Saturday.

Initially, UNB played a tight defensive game, collapsing low and blocking a lot of the Huskies' shots. On the forecheck, they were often first to the puck in the Huskies' zone, preventing easy breakouts.

Saint Mary's wore the Reds down, however, and got 15 shots on net in the first period. The Reds had seven

The teams traded power-play opportunities. UNB looked dangerous, getting shots from the point through to goalie Rebecca Clark (Keswick, ON), but couldn't capitalize on the man advantage.

The Huskies opened the scoring late in the period. With just over a minute to go, Ellen Laurence (Kentville, NS) passed from behind the Reds' net to Caitlin Pejkovic (Sherwood Park, AB). Her shot was saved by goalie Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC), but the rebound bounced up and over Woodland's shoulder into the net.

The home team extended their lead early in the second period with a power-play goal. Brooke Murphy's (Balla Philip, NB) wrist shot beat Woodland glove side as the Huskies went up 2-0.

With just under two minutes to go in the second, UNB got on the board. On the rush, the puck went into the corner to the right of Clark. After a couple of passes between Frederike Cyr (Candiac, QC) and Myah Bowal (Terrace, BC), the puck got out to Lindsey Smith (Onslow, NS) who was left alone in the slot. Her backhand shot along the ice beat Clark five hole.

The score was 2-1 for Saint Mary's after two periods of play.

In the third period, UNB kept trying to get stretch passes through the middle, but the Huskies held them to just four shots in the third. In total the Reds got 18 pucks on net during the game, while Saint Mary's put 45 shots through.

The Reds pulled their goalie late in the period, but Shae Demale got two empty net goals to seal the 4-1 win. Demale was named Subway Player of the game.

The series now shifts to Fredericton. The Reds host game two, on Tuesday, at 7:00pm, at UNB's Aitken Centre. If necessary, the Huskies would host the deciding game on Thursday.

RECAP BY: Sarah Moore/for SMU Athletics

PHOTOS BY: Nick Pearce/for SMU Athletics