REDS defeat Huskies 4-3 in thrilling shootout

HALIFAX, NS – The Saint Mary's Huskies had an incredible comeback effort come up just short, as the U SPORTS #7 ranked UNB REDS defeated the Huskies 4-3 in a shootout on Saturday night at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

The first period saw a defensive battle, with each team recording nine shots on goal, but neither team able to capitalize as Huskies netminder Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) and REDS goaltender Cassie McCallum (Rothesay, NB) were sharp through the first 20 minutes, and the score remained 0-0 into intermission.

Early in the second period, the REDS went on the powerplay and were able to capitalize as forward Jorja Nystrom (Leduc, AB) deflected a pass from teammate Payton Hargreaves (Whitby, ON) off the pads of Hansen, and was able to pounce upon the rebound to put the visitors up 1-0, just 2:44 into the second period.

Saint Mary's was able to answer back just over two minutes later, as wild end-to-end action on another REDS powerplay saw Hansen make a great save on Melanie Drost (Nepean, ON). On the ensuing counter attack, REDS goaltender Cassie McCallum attempted to clear the puck away but it ricocheted off of her net, and Huskies forward Jillian Duggan (Halifax, NS) was able to pick it up and put it in the empty net to tie the game at 1-1.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Jillian Duggan scores after a wild end-to-end sequence to tie the game at 1-1 in the second period.

�� J. Duggan (2) pic.twitter.com/sRUEkRwuvc

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 7, 2024

The REDS would retake the lead several minutes later, as during 4-on-4 play, REDS forward Lauren Carter (Milton, ON) poked the puck away from a Huskies defender and went on the breakaway, roofing a backhand shot past Hansen to put UNB ahead 2-1 with 6:07 remaining in the period.

Once again, the Huskies found themselves trailing and responded with an equalizer, as forward Charlotte Buffie (Winnipeg, MB) picked up the puck behind the REDS goal and found linemate Kara MacLean (Antigonish, NS) in the slot, who sniped a shot past McCallum to tie the game at 2-2 with less than a minute remaining in the second period.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Avery Cant recovers the loose puck and finds Kara MacLean who makes no mistake, tying the game at 2-2 late in the second period!

�� K. MacLean (3)
�� A. Cant
�� C. Buffie pic.twitter.com/36yyrEL8Z7

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 7, 2024

The REDS outshot the Huskies 17-9 in the second period, but the teams went into the second intermission tied up at 2-2.

The third period remained tight and competitive, with tempers flaring at times, as the officials called seven different penalties over the period. The Huskies powerplay was generating plenty of opportunities, but McCallum was solid in goal and the Huskies were unable to capitalize.

It was on a Huskies powerplay when the shorthanded REDS took their third lead of the night, when Hansen was able to turn away the initial shot from Hargreaves, but league-leading scorer Lillian George (Nipissing First Nation) was able to pot the rebound to put the REDS ahead 3-2, with 7:36 remaining in regulation.

The Huskies pushed for an equalizer, and with under a minute remaining, were able to comeback to tie the game for the third time on the night. On the powerplay, the Huskies pulled Hansen to get a 6-on-4 skater advantage, and forward Miranda Hatt (Regina, SK) fired a shot towards goal that was deflected in by Avery Cant (Waterloo, ON), tying the game at 3-3 with just over 54 seconds remaining in regulation.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

HUSKIES FORCE OT! With less than a minute remaining and the goalie pulled, Miranda Hatt fires a shot that was deflected by Avery Cant to tie the game at 3-3 at force overtime!

�� A. Cant (6)
�� M. Hatt
�� K. MacLean pic.twitter.com/NPryLl6IaM

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 7, 2024

A five minute overtime period solved nothing, with both teams getting several shots towards goal, but Hansen and McCallum continued their strong play, including two breakaway saves from McCallum, and the game would head to a deciding shootout.

In the shootout, both teams scored on their first attempt, with REDS defender Katelyn Scott (Almonte, ON) and Huskies forward Kara MacLean (Antigonish, NS) coming through their respective sides. After the second and third shooters from each team were unable to score, REDS forward Lillian George came up for her second attempt and made no mistake, beating Hansen through the five-hole for the shootout winner.

REDS forward Lillian George was named Player of the Game, scoring a goal and adding the shootout winner.

The REDS outshot the Huskies 36-32 on the night, with Cassie McCallum turning away 29 shots for the win, while Ridleigh Hansen stopped 32 shots for the Huskies.

The REDS win improves their record to 14-3-0-0 on the season. The REDS will be back on the road tomorrow, taking on the Mount Allison Mounties (1-13-2-1) at 6:45 p.m. in Sackville, NB.

The Huskies earned a point in the shootout loss, and now sport a 9-5-1-2 record on the campaign. They'll be back in action on Tuesday night, as they host the STFX X-Women (13-2-2-0) at 7 p.m. at the Dauphinee Centre. GET TICKETS

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Eduardo Ibarra / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics