Huskies season ends with 2-1 semifinal defeat to REDS

HALIFAX, NS - The Huskies came out with a quick pace and intensity as they looked to extend their season, however it wouldn't be enough as the UNB REDS scored twice in the third period to defeat Saint Mary's 2-1 in game four of the Atlantic University Sport women's hockey semifinal.

The Huskies came out with a fast pace to start the game. REDS netminder Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC) was tested early on as Huskies forward Miranda Hatt (Regina, SK) fired a shot from the faceoff circle, and Ashley Penney's (Lawrencetown, NS) attempt to tap in the rebound.

The REDS pushing back against the Huskies had an opportunity halfway through the first period, with a shot from April Reiner (Kitchener, ON) and Emma Giordano (Ancaster, ON) jumping on the loose puck, but Huskies goaltender Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) was there to make the saves.

At just over 5 minutes left to play, REDS forward Payton Hargreaves (Whitby, ON) fired on a shot through traffic, but Hansen made the pad save, keeping the game tied 0-0.

The Huskies kept up the quick pace, as Keyara Nelson (Belleville, ON) had an opportunity on a one-on-one, but Woodland stood firm, making the save.

With three minutes left in the first period, the Huskies headed onto their first powerplay opportunity. The Huskies kept the REDS pinned in their zone, with great opportunities on point shots from Maddy Corbett (Sydney, NS), Hatt, and Kara MacLean (Antigonish, NS), but the REDS defense stood firm as goaltender Woodland came up with key saves.

The Huskies outshot the REDS 15-8 in the first period, with the game scoreless heading into the first intermission.

Seconds into the second period, keeping up the quick pace, Hatt came streaming into the REDS zone but her shot went wide.

Moments later, as the REDS tried to combat the Huskies pressure, Mackenzie Keenan (Midhurst, ON) fired a shot from the point, but her shot went wide.

Five minutes into the second period, the REDS headed onto their first powerplay. The REDS had a couple of opportunities, but the Huskies defense stood firm. Huskies forward Gillian Lapierre (Port Coquitlam, BC) had a short-handed chance deep in the corner from a sharp angle, but Woodland made the save.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Gillian Lapierre with a shorthanded chance! Both goaltenders have been solid and we've got a scoreless tie midway through the second period. pic.twitter.com/xxN0Ajj0cC

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 27, 2024

The Huskies successfully killed off their penalty and ramped up the pressure with back-to-back big shots from Allie Barter (Hammonds Plains, NS) and Corbett, who dragged it by two defenders for an in-close shot, but Woodland was impenetrable, making the save.

The REDS poured on the pressure as the period hit the halfway mark, with Melanie Drost (Nepean, ON) firing a shot in close, but Hansen made the stop.

As the period went on, the intensity heightened, and as both teams traded opportunities, the pressure mounted as they both looked to be the first to get on the board.

At 2:45 left in the second period, the Huskies headed onto their second powerplay opportunity, searching to take the lead.

Pouncing on their opportunity, Huskies forward Jillian Duggan (Halifax, NS), from the left side, made a no-look backhand pass across the crease to Ashley Penney, who made no mistake, putting it in the back of the net for her fourth goal of the post-season, taking the lead for the Huskies 1-0.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

WHAT A GOAL! Last night's OT hero Jillian Duggan with eyes in the back of her head as she makes a magical no-look assist to set up Ashley Penney for the powerplay goal! Huskies lead the REDS 1-0 after two!

�� A. Penney (4)
�� J. Duggan
�� G. Lapierre pic.twitter.com/8Deb4QEzUc

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 27, 2024

The Huskies outshot the REDS 28-16 in the second period, with the Huskies leading 1-0, heading into the intermission.

With the REDS taking a penalty late in the second period, the Huskies started the third period with just under two minutes on the powerplay.

As the Huskies powerplay wound down, Penney fired a quick shot in the slot, but Woodland stayed firm, making the glove save.

Seconds after the REDS killed off their penalty, they headed onto their second powerplay. Forward Lauren Carter (Milton, ON), off of a scrum, found the loose puck and fired a shot at the wide-open net but hit the post, keeping the game 1-0 for the Huskies.

The Huskies successfully killed off their penalty, but the REDS kept up the pressure. Keenan fired a shot, a scrum ensued, and Hansen found the puck to cover it.

Moments later, Jorja Nystrom (Leduc, AB) picked off a pass in the Huskies zone and found teammate Rylee Strohm (Kingsville, ON) for a one-time shot, but it went wide.

Halfway through the third period, the REDS took two penalties in quick succession, giving the Huskies a five-on-three powerplay. The Huskies seized the opportunity to send a flurry of chances onto the REDS net. The Huskies best opportunity came from forward Avery Cant (Waterloo, ON) firing a shot from the slot, the rebound bounced to Duggan who just missed tapping it in the backdoor.

Two seconds after successfully killing off their penalty, REDS forward Hargreaves, on a two-on-one, made a cross-zone pass to teammate Sydney Oitomen (Mississauga, ON), who tapped it upstairs to tie the game for 1-1 for the REDS

With under two minutes left in the game, REDS Nystrom buried the puck on a rebound opportunity for the game and series winner for the REDS.

The Huskies outshot the REDS 35-24 on the night, with Kendra Woodland making 34 saves for the win, while Ridleigh Hansen turned away 22 shots in defeat.

The Huskies loss means the end of their season, as the UNB REDS will go on to the AUS final series.

Recap by Alyson Duffy / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Eduardo Ibarra / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics