X-Women Edge REDS
(ANTIGONISH, NS) The STFX X-Women defeated the UNB REDS 3-1 in a matinee match up on Sunday.
It was another tight scoring affair between the U SPORTS No. 5 ranked REDS and ninth ranked X-Women, with both previous encounters ending 2-1 in favour of UNB.
UNB and STFX sit 1 and 2 in the AUS standings, as the X-Women look to join the REDS in securing a first round playoff bye with four games remaining in the regular season schedule.
Both teams displayed solid puck movement throughout the first period, creating scoring chances at both ends.
Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC) made a big glove save with X on the power-play, around the 10:00 mark to keep the X-Women off the score sheet.
UNB opened the scoring at 12:16, with Alayna Wagstaff (Olds, AB) taking a drop pass from MacKenzie Keenan (Midhurst, ON) and putting a wrister into the X net.
STFX replied with 14 seconds left in the period when defender Lauren Dabrowski (Tiny, ON) finding the back of the net on the power play.
The X-Women came out quick in the second, keeping the puck in the UNB end a couple of times in the first 10 minutes and putting pressure on the visitors with plenty of pucks to the net. STFX goalie Amaya Giraudier (Assiniboia, SK), named the Subway Player of the Game, had to make a couple of big stops late in the stanza.
After the scoreless second period, UNB came out with some jump early in the third, but it was the X-Women who lit the lamp.
U SPORTS leading scorer Maggy Burbidge (Falmouth, NS) got the last stick to the puck on a scramble in front of the UNB net and put her team up by one with 3:30 left to play.
The goal, her 22nd of the season and 40th point, would serve as the game winner.
Ellie Brown (Kemptville, ON) added an empty-netter after blocking a UNB shot, solidifying the win for STFX.
Giraudier had 28 saves while picking up her ninth win of the season, while Woodland made 32 saves in only her third loss. Shots were 35-29 in favour of the X-Women.
X is on the road Friday to take on the Saint Mary's Huskies in Halifax.
UNB hosts the Dalhousie Tigers, on Saturday.
RECAP BY: Matt Draper/for STFX Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Bryan Kennedy/for STFX Athletics