Tigers give up late goal in 3-1 loss to Huskies

Game recap by: Kirk Jessome

(Halifax, NS) – In the first game of the new year, the Dalhousie Tigers hosted the Saint Mary's Huskies in cross-town action at the Halifax Civic Centre. In a very tight game, it took a late goal to break the deadlock and give the Huskies a 3-1 win to start the second half.

The Tigers were able to strike first in this one, on a great pass from Danika Phillips (Barrie, ON) below the goal line out in front to Tara Morning (Aurora, ON) who was able to quickly tuck it under the pad of Rebecca Clarke (Keswick, ON) to open the scoring.

Both teams were able to pile up shots throughout the period, but none of them ended up being too threatening, as the teams went into the break with the Tigers leading 1-0.

Mary MacDonald (Calgary, AB) seemed to be all over the ice for the Huskies in the second period, starting out with an early breakaway down the left wing. MacDonald broke into the zone and fired a quick wrister to the short side, but Fabiana Petricca (Woodbridge, ON) was solid on the save to hold the lead.

The Huskies were finally able to solve Petricca as their chances piled up in the period. Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB) made a great play to streak in alone down the side boards in front of a defender. Demale cut in front and lifted a shot that beat the Tigers goalie just over the pad to make it a 1-1 game.

The second period seemed to be all Huskies, as they were lucky to escape with only one goal against, as the shots piled up against the Tigers in the period.

Right before the period was about to end, Shae Demale was sprung alone on a short-handed breakaway in search of her second goal of the game. Demale broke in quickly and sent a high shot that hit Petricca right in the chest.

After that last chance, it was 1-1 heading into the third period.

MacDonald one again had a great opportunity on goal as she came down on a 2-on-1 opportunity. MacDonald kept the puck and fired it herself. The shot was able to get by Petricca, but the puck rang off the post and the game remained tied.

It looked as though the game would be destined for overtime, but with less than three minutes to go, Demale came in on another 2-on-1 opportunity. Demale kept the puck and took a shot that was stopped, but the rebound bounced back out and caused a scramble in front for Demale to eventually get enough on to send it home and make it a 2-1 lead for the Huskies.

The Tigers pulled Petricca for an extra attacker to try and find the equalizer, but Taylor Keeping (Hackett's Cove, NS) was able to find the empty net and put the game out of reach for the Huskies at 3-1.

Petricca was able to make 36 stops in a great effort, while Rebecca Clarke stopped 24 in the win. Shae Demale's two goal game earned her the Subway Player of the Game in this one.

The Tigers will look to bounce back as they hit the road to Moncton on Friday, while the Huskies will also be on the road on Friday as they look to keep the momentum going against Mount Allison.