Huskies shutout Tigers 5-0

(Halifax, NS) In AUS women's hockey action, the Saint Mary's Huskies dominated their last meeting of the regular season against the Dalhousie Tigers this Friday at the Halifax Forum, coming away with a 5-0 win.

The Huskies opened the scoring eight minutes into the game. Working the cycle low in the corner, Mary McDonald (Calgary, AB) passed to Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB) for her 13th goal of the season.

Trying to draw the Saint Mary's defense off the blue line, the Tigers kept one forward floating very high all game and tried to get stretch passes to spring their offence. The SMU forecheck intercepted most passes, however, and it was nine minutes until the Tigers could get a shot on net.

The Huskies got their second goal late in the period. A shot from the point by Alexa McMillan (Edmonton, AB) was saved by Fabiana Petricca (Woodbridge, ON), but Miranda Hatt (Eastern Passage, NS) was at the doorstep to tap in the rebound.

The period ended 2-0 for Saint Mary's.

Playing a conservative dump and chase game, the Huskies doubled their lead late in the second period.

With less than a minute to go, McMillan took a shot from the top of the circle that was going wide, but hit a Dal defender and bounced off the post and in.

On the next shift, Taylor Keeping (Hackett's Cove) got pass off an offensive face off as she was wide open in the high slot as she put the Huskies up by four.

The Tigers had more zone time in the second period, but most of their shots were blocked or went wide. They were able to muster only one shot on net.

Five minutes into the third period, Caleigh Meraw (Red Deer, AB) held the blue line and dumped the puck back in to Siobhan Birch (Mississauga, ON) who made a nice deke past Petricca for a five goal lead.

The Tigers had a late push, getting some sustained pressure in the last five minutes and a number of good shots, but nothing beyond that as the game ended 5-0 for Saint Mary's.

The Subway Player of the Game was Alexa McMillan for the Huskies.

With the win, the Huskies get an important two points to stay within reach of StFX, for a second place finish in the standings and a first round playoff bye. The Tigers, meanwhile, are eliminated from playoff contention.

The teams play their final regular season games this weekend, with Saint Mary's hosting Mount Allison on February 10 at 3:30, and Dalhousie hosting St. Thomas on February 9 at 4:30.

Sarah Moore, SMU

Photo Mona Ghiz