Game recap by Nathan Cooper
X-Women defeat Tigers 2-0 to keep winning streak alive
(Halifax, NS) – The Dalhousie Tigers (2-2-1) completed their third game in three days with a 2-0 defeat to the Saint Francis Xavier X-Women. With this win, the X-Women are now on a five-game winning streak.
The X-Women were the better of the two teams early in the first. Their defense was giving the Tigers no space to work the puck, as they managed to limit the Tigers to only 3 shots in the first 20 minutes of play. Lindsey Donavan (Miramichi, NB) led the charge for the X-Women, putting four shots on goal in the first period.
Both teams had two power play opportunities in the first, but neither could convert. Fabiana Petricca (Woodbridge, ON) made a great save off a X-Women break away to close out the scoreless opening period.
As the puck dropped for the second period, the X-Women continued to have high possession in the Tigers end. Petricca was solid in the crease, stopping attack after attack from the X-Women.
The X-Women continuously pressed the Tigers deep into their end. The Tigers were not able to get a shot on goal in the first eight minutes of the second period.
The Tigers had a botched forward line change late in the second, which left a five on two chance for the X-Women. Petricca came up huge again for the Tigers, blocking a quick wrist shot to end the threat.
For all the possession that the X-Women held, they were still yet to bag one after 25 shots.
Meghan Anton (Kitchener, ON) was given a 2-minute penalty for body contact late in the second. The X-Women continued to blast shots at Petricca, but to no avail.
Danika Phillips (Barrie, ON) was given a two-minute penalty for head contact and Kate Gotaas (Sherwood Park, AB) was given two minutes for cross checking. The remainder of the period was played out with some four on four action, that would continue into the opening minutes of the third.
The Tigers clearly looked like they were a few steps slower than the previous two nights. It was shown in the statistics as the X-Women outshot the Tigers 29 to five through the first 40 minutes of play.
The third period began with an X-Women goal, after just five seconds. A quick wrist shot deflected off of a Tigers skate to beat Patricca on the far post. The goal was scored by Tyra Meropoulis (Edson, AB).
The goal from the X-Women opened the game right up for both teams. The Tigers looked hungry for an equalizer, while the X-Women looked confident in scoring another to seal the game.
Autumn Moors (Ottawa, ON) made a great acceleration down the wing to give the Tigers a great two on one chance. Phillips was half a second late to a tap in off Moors' centring pass.
The Tigers were finally testing Cassidy McEwen (Lloydminster, AB) in net. Anton had a great interception at the X-Women's blue line, but McEwen made a great glove save to stop the play.
Momentum was building for the Tigers and it looked like they would have an opportunity to get one back after a cross-checking penalty on Donavan. The X-Women showed their class as they were able to spend more than half of the penalty kill in the Tigers zone.
With eight minutes left in the game, Elizabeth Klimm (West Kelowna, BC) was called on a holding penalty which lead to two great chances by Sarah Bujold (Riverview, NB). Both chances were stopped by Petricca confidently. A few moments later, Petricca gloved a powerful slap-shot from Kristen McKinley (Rothesay, NB).
The Tigers played their best hockey in the third period, putting 10 shots on goal. A late penalty on the Tigers deflated any real hopes of an equalizing goal.
Emerson Elliot (Aurora, ON) scored an open net goal in the final 30 seconds of the game to finish the Tigers 2-0. The goal was assisted by Donovan. Donovan was awarded player of the game.
The Tigers are back in action on Saturday, as they travel to New Brunswick to take on Mount Allison. The X-Women's next game is on Friday at Moncton.