Panthers score 2-1 overtime win over Huskies

HALIFAX, NS – UPEI forward Kierra St. Peter scored the overtime winning goal, as the Panthers defeated the Saint Mary's Huskies 2-1 in Atlantic University Sport women's hockey action on Saturday night at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

The Panthers came out of the gates aggressively, recording the first four shots of the game, but Huskies netminder Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) was able to turn them all away, including a tremendous save on a partial breakaway from Panthers forward Kierra St. Peter (Craigs Flat, NB). Midway through the period, Saint Mary's went on the powerplay, but UPEI goaltender Sarah Forsythe (Riverview, NB) stopped four shots of her own.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Ridleigh Hansen makes a great save to keep the game scoreless in the first period! pic.twitter.com/QVOX5aEpX6

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 12, 2025

With just under five minutes remaining in the first period, the Panthers got a go-ahead goal, as the puck took a bounce off the end boards and onto the stick of forward Renee Chapman (Little Harbour, PEI) who beat Hansen with a high wrist shot, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead, 14:28 into the first period.

Moments later the Huskies had another powerplay opportunity, and nearly capitalized as forward Kara MacLean (Antigonish, NS) had a chance at a open net off a rebound, but Panthers forward Ruby Loughton (Toronto, ON) made a great defensive play to block the shot.

The Panthers outshot the Huskies 11-7 through the first period, and took a 1-0 lead into intermission.

Early in the second period, the Huskies had another great scoring chance, as a shot by forward Abby McCarthy (Falmouth, NS) resulted in a big rebound, but it skipped over the stick of Mackenzie Beggs (Kemptville, ON).

The Huskies had several other scoring opportunities in the second period, outshooting the Panthers 13-2, but Sarah Forsythe was excellent and the Panthers held on to their 1-0 lead into the third period.

In the third period, the Huskies finally found their equalizer on their 29^th shot of the night, as forward Gillian Lapierre (Port Coquitlam, BC) fired a pass from behind the net that found the stick of defender Allie Barter (Hammonds Plains, NS) who fired a high shot that beat Forsythe to tie the game at 1-1, 15:37 into the third period.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Allie Barter ties it at 1-1 late in the third period!

��A. Barter (1)
��A. Cant
��G. Lapierre pic.twitter.com/OboPp5qzz9

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 12, 2025

Neither team found a go-ahead goal over the last five minutes of regulation, as the two teams headed into overtime tied at 1-1.

Just over one minute into overtime, the Panthers found the winner, as Kierra St. Peter picked up a loose puck in the Huskies end and fired a low shot that beat Hansen to give the Panthers a 2-1 overtime win.

The Huskies outshot the Panthers 32-19 on the night, with Sarah Forsythe stopping 31 shots for the win, while Ridleigh Hansen made 17 saves in defeat.

The Panthers win improves their record to 8-7-2-1. UPEI will be back on the road next Friday, Jan. 17, as they visit the Dalhousie Tigers (10-5-2-1) at 7 p.m. at the Halifax Forum.

The Huskies third straight loss drops their record to 7-7-4-1 on the season. Saint Mary's will hit the road next week, visiting the Mount Allison Mounties (1-17-0-0) on Friday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. in Sackville, NB.

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