(HALIFAX, NS) Lily George (Nipissing First Nation) scored once in regulation and again in a shootout as the UNB REDS beat the Saint Mary's Huskies 4-3 in Atlantic University Sport women's hockey action, Saturday night at SMU's Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.
"Everyone found ways to contribute and make a difference," said REDS' interim head coach Kyle MacDonald. "Playing in games like tonight throughout the season has brought us together and made us that much closer as a team."
The first period saw a defensive battle, with each team recording nine shots on goal, but neither team able to capitalize as Huskies netminder Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) and REDS goaltender Cassie McCallum (Rothesay, NB) were sharp and unbeaten through the first 20 minutes.
Early in the second period, the REDS went on the powerplay and were able to capitalize as forward Jorja Nystrom (Leduc, AB) deflected a pass from teammate Payton Hargreaves (Whitby, ON) off the pads of Hansen, and was able to pounce on the rebound to put the visitors up 1-0.
Saint Mary's was able to answer back just over two minutes later, as wild end-to-end action on another REDS powerplay saw Hansen make a great save on Melanie Drost (Nepean, ON). On the ensuing counter-attack, REDS goaltender Cassie McCallum attempted to clear the puck but it ricocheted off of her net and Huskies forward Jillian Duggan (Halifax, NS) was able to pick it up and put it in the empty net to tie the game 1-1.
The REDS restored their lead, as during 4-on-4 play, REDS forward Lauren Carter (Milton, ON) poked the puck away from a Huskies defender and went on a breakaway, roofing a backhand past Hansen to put UNB ahead 2-1 with 6:07 remaining in the period.
Once again, the Huskies responded. Charlotte Buffie (Winnipeg, MB) picked up the puck behind the REDS goal and found linemate Kara MacLean (Antigonish, NS) in the slot. She sniped a shot past McCallum to tie the game 2-2 with less than a minute remaining in the second.
The third period was tight and competitive, with tempers flaring at times, as the officials called seven different penalties. The Huskies powerplay was generating plenty of opportunities, but McCallum was solid in goal and the Huskies were unable to capitalize.
It was on a Huskies powerplay when the shorthanded REDS took their third lead of the night when Hansen was able to turn away the initial shot from Hargreaves but league-leading scorer George potted the rebound to put the REDS ahead 3-2 with 7:36 remaining in regulation.
The Huskies pushed for an equalizer and with under a minute remaining were able to tie the game for the third time. On the powerplay, the Huskies pulled Hansen to get a 6-on-4 skater advantage and Miranda Hatt (Regina, SK) fired a shot that was deflected in by Avery Cant (Waterloo, ON), tying the game 3-3 with just over 54 seconds remaining in regulation.
A five-minute overtime period solved nothing. Both teams had chances, but Hansen and McCallum continued their strong play, including two breakaway saves from McCallum.
In the shootout, both teams scored on their first attempt, with UNB's REDS Katelyn Scott (Almonte, ON) and SMU's MacLean coming through for their respective sides. After the second and third shooters from each team were unable to score, George came up for her second attempt and made no mistake, beating Hansen five-hole for the shootout winner. She was named Player of the Game.
"Tonight was a great challenge for our group," said MacDonald. "SMU is a very solid, hardworking team. The level of intensity challenged our discipline, an area we will improve upon. Both our special teams came up big for us and it was great having captain Payton Hargreaves veteran defender Emma Giordano back in the lineup."
The U SPORTS No. 7 ranked REDS outshot the Huskies 36-32, with McCallum turning away 29 shots for the win.
The REDS win improves their record to 14-3-0-0 (W-L-OTL-SOL). The REDS will be back on the ice Sunday, taking on the Mount Allison Mounties (1-13-2-1) at 6:45pm, in Sackville.
The Huskies now sport a 9-5-1-2. They're back in action Tuesday night, hosting the STFX X-Women.
Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Eduardo Ibarra / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics