Huskies top Tigers

HALIFAX, N.S. - The Saint Mary's Huskies, ranked #5 in U SPORTS, had a much-needed bounce back game in a 5-0 win over the Dalhousie Tigers on Wednesday night in Halifax.   

The Huskies, playing their third game in four days, were eager to get back into the win column after a tough 4-3 loss against the nationally ranked St. FX X-Women on Monday night. Coach Chris Larade's lineup received a much-needed boost with the return of 2019-20 AUS All-Star Miranda Hatt (Regina, SK), who had missed the previous two games.   

Saint Mary's got off to a good start early, with a pair of scoring opportunities for Ellen Laurence (Kentville, NS) and Kara MacLean (Antigonish, NS) denied by Tigers netminder Maggie Baxter in the opening minutes.   

The Huskies offense kept coming and after Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB) won a faceoff in the Tigers zone, Hatt was able to scoop the puck over to Mary McDonald (Calgary, AB), who fired a backhand shot past Baxter to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead just 2:51 into the first period.   

The Huskies offense kept buzzing for the entire first period outshooting the Tigers 14-1 through the first 20 minutes, but Baxter kept the Tigers within a goal with several great saves.  

Early in the second period, Huskies forward Aimee O'Neil nearly scored on a wicked wrist shot, only denied by the goal post. The Tigers also appeared to have found some offensive momentum to begin the second period, posting five shots on goal in the first five minutes.   

Midway through the second period, the Tigers had a great chance as forward Kennedy Whelan intercepted a pass and had a full breakaway, but was stopped by first year goaltender Ashley Imlach (Newtonville, ON) to preserve the 1-0 lead.  

The two teams continued to battle as the Tigers looked to even the score, but were caught on a bad change and whistled for a penalty for too many players on the ice with just over five minutes remaining in the frame.   

Saint Mary's came into the game with their powerplay on a bit of a cold streak, having gone 0/19 with the man-advantage over their past four games, but it was clear that they had been working on their special teams, as they dominated possession on the powerplay. MacLean alone had four shots turned away by Baxter over a 40 second span.  

The Huskies powerplay wouldn't be denied for long, as they finally broke through with defencewoman Caleigh Meraw (Red Deer, AB) firing a shot from the point that beat a screened Baxter to double the lead to 2-0.    

The Huskies outshot the Tigers 16-9 over the second period, and lead 2-0 heading into the third.  

Early in the third period, the Tigers nearly cut into the lead but Huskies captain Alexa McMillan (Edmonton, AB) made a great stick save to keep the Huskies shutout in tact. Moments later it was Imlach making a great save, denying Kaela Thomson with the glove off a defensive zone giveaway. Huskies coach Chris Larade called a timeout, and the Huskies immediately responded by crisping up their passes and turning up the intensity.  

When Tigers captain Autumn Moors was called for tripping, the Huskies powerplay got back to work, as Hatt made a great slap-pass to Demale, who poked it over to McDonald. McDonald was able to wrist it by Baxter for her second goal of the game to extend the lead to 3-0.  

Just under five minutes later, the Huskies scored again as Siobhan Birch (Mississauga, ON) corralled a bouncing puck and fired a rocket shot over Baxter and under the bar to make it 4-0.  

Just 12 seconds later the Huskies were able to strike again as Eve LeBlanc (Petit-Rocher, NB) fired a shot from the blueline that was perfectly deflected by Ellen Laurence (Kentville, NS) to make the score 5-0.  

Huskies first year goaltender Ashley Imlach made 15 saves for her first career AUS shutout, while Tigers goaltender Maggie Baxter turned away 29 shots.  

Huskies forward Mary McDonald was named Subway Player of the Game with two goals and one assist, and credited the return of Hatt to the Huskies powerplay breakthrough.  

"It was so nice having Miranda back, I think our lines were a little jumbled up, and she just always makes the right play," said McDonald post-game. "We needed that first one to light the fuel on the powerplay, it was good all first semester but we had gone a bit cold, but once we got that goal it felt good again."  

It was the Huskies third game in four days, and they will now get a few days rest before returning to the Dauphinee Centre on Sunday afternoon, to take on the Mount Allison Mounties in the final home game of the regular season.  

"It was a tough stretch," said McDonald. "We had bus lags on our game (against St. Thomas) this weekend, and Monday night's game was obviously a battle. I think everyone was feeling it but Coach told us to just hang in there and keep playing our game, and it all worked out."  

With the win Saint Mary's improves to 15-3-1 on the season, and extends their lead over the UNB REDS at the top of the AUS standings.   

With the loss the Tigers drop to 3-11-5 on the campaign. Dalhousie will next hit the road to take on the UNB REDS on Friday night in Fredericton.