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Marc Warner, son of late Huskies legend Bob Warner ('75), drops the ceremonial pre-game faceoff between Huskies captain Alexa McMillan (left) and UNB REDS Ashley Stratton (right), as Saint Mary's Athletic Director Scott Gray looks on.
Marc Warner, son of late Huskies legend Bob Warner ('75), drops the ceremonial pre-game faceoff between Huskies captain Alexa McMillan (left) and UNB REDS Ashley Stratton (right), as Saint Mary's Athletic Director Scott Gray looks on.
Posted: Nov 27, 2021

Demale scores winner with six seconds left as Huskies extend winning streak to 10

By Allan April / HALIFAX

The number one ranked team in U SPORTS women's hockey extended their winning streak to 10 straight thanks to some last second heroics from their leading scorer, as the Saint Mary's Huskies defeated the UNB REDS 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday's game was a marquee showdown between the top two teams in the conference; the Huskies, who came into the game fresh off being named the #1 in the country and riding a 9 game winning streak, and a REDS team ranked #7 in the country, that had handed the Huskies one of their two losses on the campaign, a 4-3 OT thriller on Oct. 15.

Saturday's game was also special as the Huskies commemorated late Huskies alum Bob Warner (BA '75), as Saint Mary's hosted his family and friends to celebrate the first recipients of the Bob Warner Memorial Fund.

The first Huskies women's hockey player honoured with the award was captain Alexa McMillan (Edmonton, A.B.).

Marc Warner, son of Bob Warner, presents Huskies captain Alexa McMillan with the 2020 Bob Warner Memorial Award on Nov. 27, 2021. (Photo by Nick Pearce)

The first period was a back and forth affair, with the Huskies seeing the first scoring chances just over two minutes into the game, as Ashley Penney (Lawrencetown, N.S.) and Jillian Duggan (Halifax, N.S.) had a pair of shots stopped by UNB goaltender Kendra Woodland.

With six minutes remaining in the first frame, the Huskies got their best chance of the period, as the REDS had two players sent to the penalty box. On a four-on-three powerplay, Huskies leading scorer Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB) had a hard shot on goal, with Woodland making an outstanding glove save.

The Huskies then had a five-on-three powerplay for 1:17, but were unable to score as Woodland made several more key stops. The Huskies outshot the REDS 7-2 in the opening frame, but were unable to score.

But Demale wouldn't be denied for long, as just 20 seconds into the second period, she took a pass from Mary McDonald (Calgary, A.B.), and beat Woodland for her league leading 12th goal of the season.

The Huskies had another powerplay midway through the period, but once again were unable to get any good chances, as the REDS killed it off without too much trouble.

Saint Mary's went on to shoot UNB 11-2 in the second period, but Woodland continued to impress with several big saves to keep the Saint Mary's lead to one.

With just over 4:30 remaining in the third period, REDS defenceman Jenna MacLean nearly got the equalizer, as her point shot beat Huskies goaltender Dagny Hudsbeth (Burlington, ON), but rang off the crossbar and out of play.

With just under two minutes remaining in regulation the REDS pulled Woodland, and immediately had several attempts from close range. The Huskies were able to clear the zone momentarily and nearly iced it as Demale hit the post with her clearance.

The REDS kept on coming with the extra attacker and with 55 seconds remaining in regulation finally got the equalizer as Lauren Carter scored her first of the season off a scramble to tie it up at 1-1, silencing the raucous crowd at the Dauphinee Centre.

Off the ensuing faceoff, the Huskies were able to force a faceoff in the REDS defensive zone. Huskies coach Chris Larade was clearly not content with holding on for overtime, as he called a timeout with 17 seconds remaining to strategize.

Huskies centre Miranda Hatt (Regina, SK) won a crucial faceoff, leading to a Demale shot from the hashmark that was stopped by Woodland. But the rebound was batted around in front of the net, before Demale stuffed it home with 6.6 seconds remaining on the clock, as the Dauphinee Centre crowd went wild.

Saint Mary's outshot UNB in each of the three periods, for a total of 29-11 in the game. Woodland made 27 saves for the Reds, while Hudsbeth made 10 for the Huskies.

Demale was named Subway AUS Player of the Game, as her two goals extended her AUS lead in goals (13) and points (22).

Saint Mary's will be back in action on Sunday, as they head to Prince Edward Island to take on the UPEI Panthers (9-4-2). Puck drop is at 3 p.m. Atlantic.

The REDS continue their three game road stretch as they head to Moncton to take on the Aigles Bleus on Tuesday night.

Huskies forward Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB) was named Subway AUS Player of the Game with two goals, including the game winner, in Saint Mary's 2-1 win over the UNB REDS on Nov. 27, 2021.

Huskies forward Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB) was named Subway AUS Player of the Game with two goals, including the game winner, in Saint Mary's 2-1 win over the UNB REDS on Nov. 27, 2021.