Huskies take 3-2 win over Tigers

Game recap by Kirk Jessome

(Halifax, NS) – In Wednesday night women's hockey action, the Dalhousie Tigers played host to their cross-town rivals, the Saint Mary's Huskies in the Pink in the Rink breast cancer awareness matchup. The Halifax Forum was packed with fans from both sides donning their pink attire. The Tigers dying seconds goal wasn't enough for them in the game, as the Huskies were able to take this one with a 3-2 win.

The Tigers were able to strike first just five minutes into the game. A faceoff just outside the Saint Mary's zone was won by Jesse Rietveld (Pelham, ON) to Lauren Ellerton (Toronto, ON) who was able to carry the puck over the line and send a hard wrist shot over the pad of goalie Rebecca Clarke (Keswick, ON).

The Huskies were able to counter just a few minutes later. The puck was worked deep into the corner by Taylor Keeping (Hackett's Cove, NS), who spotted Laura Horwood (Grandfalls-Windsor, NL) open in the slot and sent a great pass out front for Horwood to one-time home.

With only a few minutes left to go in the period the Tigers were having trouble getting the puck out of their own end as the Huskies defenders were pinching aggressively. A clearing attempt was stopped at the blue line by Mary Worndl (Kitchener, ON) who sent a shot to the front of the net that was tipped by Siobhan Birch (Mississauga, ON) under the pad of a screened Fabiana Petricca (Woodbridge, ON).

That final goal was the last action of the period as it went into the intermission with Saint Mary's leading 2-1.

The first half of the second period had a lot of dump-and-chase play, but didn't result in any real scoring chances for either team.

The Tigers were looking strong towards the end of the period with an aggressive fore-check applying a lot of pressure in the Huskies zone, but they weren't able to produce any threatening chances.

The period looked as if it would end the way it started, but with just over two minutes left the Huskies were able to tack on another goal. The Huskies broke over the line into the Tigers zone and held the puck along the half-boards. Laura Polak (Bedford, NS) walked into the slot with the puck and looked as though she would take the shot herself, but instead she sent a hard pass across the crease to Breanna Lanceleve (Middle Sackville, NS) who was able to tap it into the open cage.

The late goal took sent the game into the third period with the Huskies leading 3-1.

Petricca was tested multiple times as soon as the third period got underway. The very first play saw the Huskies center win the draw and break through the defenders to take a shot, but Petricca stood her ground to make the save.

The Huskies continued to hold pressure in the Tigers zone and put good chances toward the net, including a point-blank shot from Siobhan Birch looking for her second goal, but the Tigers goaltender was up to the task with a fantastic glove save.

The Tigers were forced to play from the outside when took the puck into the attacking zone, as the Huskies consistently clogged up the slot area. This resulted in few scoring opportunities being created by the Tigers, who couldn't get the puck to the front of the net.

With just six seconds left to go in the game, with the Tigers net empty Tyra Death (Grande Prairie, AB) sent a hard shot from the point that was tipped in front by Keana Oshowy (Woodbridge, ON) to bring the Tigers within one.

But the goal was too little, too late as the puck dropped again and time ran out for the Tigers as the Huskies took the game with a 3-2 victory.

The Subway Player of the Game from the Huskies was Kiana Wilkinson (Prince George, BC).

The Tigers will be at home again on Friday as they are set to take on StFX, while the Huskies will also be playing StFX in their next game as they travel to Antigonish on Saturday.