(HALIFAX, NS) The U SPORTS No. 1 ranked Saint Mary's Huskies scored with 6.6 seconds to play to beat the No. 7 UNB REDS 2-1, on Saturday afternoon.
Saturday's game was a marquee showdown between the top two teams in the conference; the Huskies, who came into the game riding a nine game winning streak, and a REDS team that had handed the Huskies one of their two losses of the season, a 4-3 OT thriller on October 15th.
The first period was a back-and-forth affair, with the Huskies seeing the first scoring chances just over two minutes into the game, as Ashley Penney (Lawrencetown, NS) and Jillian Duggan (Halifax, NS) had a pair of shots stopped by UNB goaltender Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC).
With six minutes remaining in the first frame, the Huskies got their best chance of the period. On a four-on-three power-play, Huskies' leading scorer Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB) had a hard shot on goal, with Woodland making an outstanding glove save.
The Huskies then had a five-on-three power-play for 1:17, but were unable to score as Woodland made several more key stops. The Huskies outshot the REDS 7-2 in the opening frame, but were unable to score.
But Demale wouldn't be denied for long, as just 20 seconds into the second period, she took a pass from Mary McDonald (Calgary, AB) and beat Woodland for her league leading 12th goal of the season.
With just over 4:30 remaining in the third period, REDS defender Jenna MacLean (Wilcox, SK) nearly got the equalizer, as her point shot beat Huskies goaltender Dagny Hudsbeth (Burlington, ON), but rang off the crossbar and out of play.
The, with under two minutes remaining in regulation, the REDS pulled Woodland, and immediately had several attempts from close range.
The REDS kept coming with the extra attacker, and with 55 seconds remaining in regulation, finally got the equalizer as Lauren Carter (Milton, ON) scored her first of the season off a scramble to tie it 1-1.
The Huskies were able to force a late faceoff in the REDS' zone, where Miranda Hatt (Regina, SK) won the draw, leading to a Demale shot from the hashmark that was stopped by Woodland. But the rebound was batted around in front of the net, before Demale stuffed it home with 6.6 seconds remaining on the clock.
Saint Mary's outshot UNB in each of the three periods, for a total of 29-11 in the game. Woodland made 27 saves for the Reds, while Hudsbeth made 10 for the Huskies.
Demale was named Subway Player of the Game.
Saint Mary's will be back in action on Sunday, as they head to Charlottetown to take on the UPEI Panthers in a 3:00pm start. The REDS are back in action on Tuesday evening, in Moncton, the make-up date for the game that was postponed on Friday. Game time is 7:00pm.
RECAP BY: Allan April/SMU Athletics
PHOTOS BY: SMU Athletics