MacLean scores twice as Huskies defeat Tigers 3-2 in shootout thriller

HALIFAX, N.S. - Kara MacLean scored twice, as the Saint Mary's Huskies beat their cross-town rivals, the Dalhousie Tigers, 3-2 in in shootout on Friday night at the Halifax Forum.

The Tigers got off to a strong start on home ice, drawing a penalty in the first two minutes, to head to the power play. A strong kill from the Huskies would keep the game even and swing the momentum in Saint Mary's favour.

A strong shot from Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB) rattled off the mask of Tigers goaltender, Maggie Baxter (Mahone Bay, NS), before it was collected by Kara MacLean (Antigonish, NS) and deposited for a 1-0 Huskies lead.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Kara MacLean scores to give @SMUHuskiesWH a 1-0 lead in the first period against @DalTigers.

��K. MacLean (5)
��S. Demale
��M. McDonald pic.twitter.com/f4f3VV40Yq

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 25, 2022

Dalhousie would not stay down long as Natasha Falk (Brandon, MB) sped down the wing with a nice shot on goal, leading to the Tigers second man advantage of the night. The Huskies once again killed off the power play and got their first opportunity with the man advantage. Baxter stood tall and kept the lead at one.

With two minutes remaining in the first period, Saint Mary's would capitalize on a late rush with MacLean banging home a rebound off a Demale shot for her second goal of the night, making it a 2-0 game headed to the second period.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Kara MacLean scores her second of the night to give @SMUHuskiesWH a 2-0 lead in the first period against @DalTigers.

��K. MacLean (6)
��S. Demale pic.twitter.com/Ik1MlyP6QZ

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 25, 2022

The second period got off to a fast start with both teams trading chances before Saint Mary's headed back to the powerplay. Several more saves from Baxter would keep it a 2-0 game.

Shortly after the Tigers penalty expired, the Huskies would draw a third penalty and yet another opportunity to go to work with the man advantage. Saint Mary continued to pour the pressure on, but the Tigers held strong.

With about five minutes remaining in the period, the Tigers would jump on a loose puck behind the Huskies net and Falk would get Dalhousie on the board to make it a 2-1 game.

With three minutes remaining in the second period Emma Penner (Niagara on the Lake, ON) would be called for a game misconduct for cross checking to send the Huskies back to the powerplay for five minutes.

As the third period began, the Tigers killed off the remainder of the major penalty, in large part to more great goaltending by Baxter.

After another successful penalty kill, the Tigers would earn two, back-to-back power plays where the momentum started to turn in their favour, picking up many chances.

Huskies goaltender, Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB), was able to match her counterpart, coming up big to be Saint Mary's best penalty killer. After a few minutes ticked off the clock, the Tigers would head back to the advantage one last time. Finally, the Tigers were able to solve Hansen with Olivia Eustace (Riverview, NB) picking the top corner to tie the game at 2-2 late in the third to force overtime.

With overtime solving nothing, the game would have to be won by a shootout. First up Paige Coulter-Vansickle (Millbrook, ON) was stopped for Dalhousie. First for the Huskies was MacLean, missing left of Baxter. After Eustace missed for the Tigers, Baxter could come up with a huge save in the second round and even headed to the third round.

With both missing, extra shooters were needed until Keyara Nelson (Belleville, ON) was able to beat Baxter in the tenth round to win it 3-2.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Keyara Nelson scores a beauty in round 10 of the shootout, and @SMUHuskiesWH gets the win 3-2 over @DalTigers! pic.twitter.com/HCr4UvAy4L

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 26, 2022

Huskies forward Kara MacLean took home the Subway Player of the Game honours with two goals. It was the second year forward's third two-goal game of the season, as all six of her goals on the year have been scored in three of the last six Huskies games.

Shae Demale added two assists for the Huskies, giving her 19 points in 14 games, tying her for fifth in the conference in scoring.

Baxter was outstanding in the Tigers net with 41 stops on the night, while Hansen saved 16 shots for the victory.

The Tigers loss drops their record to 7-9 on the season. They'll look to get back in the win column on Dec. 2, when they host the UNB REDS.

The Huskies win improves their record to 9-5 on the season. They'll be back in action on Saturday, hosting the Mount Allison Mounties at 3 p.m. It will be a special game day as the 'Red Tape Initiative Doubleheader' returns to Saint Mary's, with a special ceremonial face-off, jersey patches and a reception post-game featuring guest speakers. GET TICKETS