Huskies edge Reds 2-1

(Halifax, NS) The Saint Mary's Huskies faced the University of New Brunswick Reds this Saturday at the Halifax Forum in AUS women's hockey action. After dominating most of the game, the Huskies held on during a late surge by the Red to take this one 2-1.

The opening faceoff was won by Ashley Stratton (Mount Pearl, NL) of the Reds and the game was underway. Both teams were slow to start, with goalies Rebecca Clark (Keswick, ON) for the Huskies and Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC) for the Reds not facing much action in the opening minutes.

The scoring was opened by Saint Mary's at 12:28 into the period with a shot from the point by Caleigh Meraw (Red Deer, AB). Carly Baker (Newmarket, ON) and Alexa McMillan (Edmonton, AB) grabbed the assists.

The Reds had a couple of chances jumping on turnovers at the Huskies' blue line, but nothing substantial. Their best chance came with just over a minute left in the period with a one timer from Lillian George (Garden Village, ON) from right in the slot.

The period ended 1-0 for the Huskies and they led in shots 8-4.

Saint Mary's dominated the second period, adding another goal.

The Reds had a close scoring chance at the 12-minute mark; Julia Spitzig (Kitchener, ON) drove the net and tucked the puck five hole on Clark, but Leandra Timmerman (Rathwell, MB) got behind and stopped it from crossing the line.

Emma Borbandy (Langdon, AB) was sent to the box for tripping at 13:18 in the second. The Huskies converted on the power play: Mary McDonald (Calgary, AB) tipped in a shot from Sydney Endgland (Chamcook, NB) to double the lead.

The second period ended 2-0 in favor of Saint Mary's.

The Huskies came close to adding another goal 11 minutes into the third. A shot from Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB) beat Woodland but Ashley Stratton (Kamloops, BC) got her stick on it before the puck could fully cross the line.

The Reds finally got on the board at 18:30 in the third. Kiana Wilkinson (Prince George, BC) went to the box for a delay of game penalty to the Huskies, and the Reds pulled their goalie for an extra attacker. On the 6 on 4, Jenna MacLean (Wilcox, SK) scored, sending a shot from the point with lots of traffic in front of the net.

UNB kept pushing but couldn't tie the game in the remaining minutes, and the Huskies took this one 2-1.

The Subway Player of the Game, scoring her second goal of the season, was Mary McDonald.

Next up, SMU hosts StFX on November 28 and UNB plays Dalhousie Tigers in Halifax on November 25.

Sarah Moore, SMU Communications

Photo Nick Pearce