Huskies shut out Tigers, 5-0

Written by Allan April, SMU Athletics

HALIFAX, NS – The Saint Mary's Huskies extended their winning streak to five games defeating the Dalhousie Tigers 5-0 in Atlantic University Sport Women's Hockey action on Friday night at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax. 

The Huskies hit the scoreboard just under four minutes into the first period while on the penalty kill, as first year defender Georgia Steenbakkers (Stittsville, ON) chipped the puck through a Tigers skates and skated in on a breakaway, beating Tigers goaltender Grace Beer (Oakville, ON) with a lovely backhand shot for her first career AUS goal. 

Both teams had several opportunities through the remainder of the first period, but neither team was able to score, as the Huskies outshot the Tigers 10-8 through 20 minutes and took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. 

The Huskies would double their lead just 19 seconds into the second period, as defender Abigail Mackenzie (Stellarton, NS) intercepted a pass in the Tigers zone and fired a soft backhand shot towards goal, which was corralled by forward Ashley Penney (Lawrencetown, NS) who turned and fired it past Beer to give the Huskies a 2-0 lead. 

Just over two minutes later, the Huskies would score their second shorthanded goal of the night, as defender Marisa McClocklin (Saskatoon, SK) won the puck off the boards and played it ahead to forward Mackenzie Beggs (Kemptville, ON) who did the rest, firing a shot over Beer's blocker to put the home team ahead 3-0. 

Saint Mary's would continue their second period offensive explosion 10 minutes later, as forward Miranda Hatt (Regina, SK) intercepted a pass and fired a shot towards goal that was deflected in by first year forward Gillian Lapierre (Port Coquitlam, BC), putting the home team ahead 4-0. 

While both teams recorded 11 shots in the second period, the Huskies took a 4-0 lead into intermission. The Tigers would change goaltenders to begin the third period, as Maggie Baxter (Mahone Bay, NS) replaced Beer between the pipes. 

The third period saw the Huskies add one more goal to their tally, as Keyara Nelson (Belleville, ON) banked a pass off the side boards to forward Abby McCarthy (Falmouth, NS) who lifted a bad angle shot high over Baxter's shoulder for her first goal of the season, putting the Huskies up 5-0. 

That would be the final goal on the night, as Huskies goaltender Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) turned away 26 shots for her third shutout and league-leading 11th win of the season, and was named Player of the Game. 

The Huskies fifth straight win improves their record to 14-5-1-2 on the season. They'll be back on home ice next weekend, as they host the UPEI Panthers (5-13-0-2) on Friday, and Moncton Aigles Bleues (10-9-0-2) on Saturday, with both games scheduled to drop the puck at 7 p.m. at the Dauphinee Centre. 

The Tigers loss drops their record to 11-10-0-1 on the season. They'll be back on the road on Sunday as they visit the UNB REDS (16-4-0-0) at 3 p.m. in Fredericton.