Tigers skate to 3-2 win over X-Women

Source: StFX Athletics

ANTIGONISH - The CIS ranked No. 7 StFX X-Women (3-3-1) dropped a 3-2 decision to the visiting Dalhousie Tigers (3-4) in AUS hockey play Saturday night at the Keating Centre.

On the first shot of the game for either team, Kara Power (New Glasgow, NS) opened the scoring at the 36-second mark of the first period. Her hard shot from the left wing beat Tigers goaltender Jessica Severeyns (Hammond Plains, NS) glove side, with assists going to Daley Oddy (Cranbrook, BC) and Heather Tillsley (Aurora, ON).

At 5:09, the visitors knotted the contest when Taylor Reichheld (Haggersville, ON) beat Pascale Daigle (Irishtown, NB), after taking a pass from team captain Joleen MacInnis (Whycocomagh, NS), who made a great rush into the X-Women zone.

Just more than one minute later, at 6:30, Dalhousie took a 2-1 lead when Sarah MacNeil (Albert Bridge, NS) broke in alone on Daigle and beat her with a backhand shot. Rachel Carr (Halifax, NS) and Jessie Rietveld (Pelham, ON) notched assists on the tally.

The Tiger goals came on their first two shots of the game.

In a scoreless second period, the X-Women carried much of the play, but they could not solve Severeyns, who thwarted Oddy from in close with a diving glove save. In the final minute of the middle frame, Oddy found Kara Power alone in front, but Severeyns slid across to make the save.

Freshman Brooke Noseworthy (St. Anthony, NL) created another opportunity when she caused a turnover deep in the Tiger zone. She found Jenna MacDonald (Osgoode, ON) in front, but her quick shot rang off the goal post.

In the third period, the X-Women continued to press, but they could not get the equalizer.

During one sequence, Severeyns made three consecutive saves, including one from point-blank range, when she dove to her right and kept an Oddy shot from going into the open net with the paddle of her stick.

On another StFX rush, Power centered to Oddy, who deked Severeyns, but the puck slid off her stick before she could get a backhand attempt away.

Daigle kept the X-Women within striking distance, making two big saves on Laura Brooks (Acton, ON), who got in tight behind the defence.

With the StFX goaltender off for an extra attacker, Lisa MacLean (Inverness, NS) forced a turnover at centre ice and then buried a shot in the empty net at 19:15.

Jenna Pitts (Antigonish, NS) cut the lead to 3-2 with six seconds remaining, on an assist from Oddy, but the X-Women could get no closer.

Severeyns, the Subway player of game and first star, made 30 saves for the win, while Daigle turned aside 16 shots in the loss.

MacNeil, who scored what turned out to be the game-winner and Oddy were second and third stars, respectively.

The X-Women will return to action Thursday, Nov. 12, when they host the rival Saint Mary's Huskies at the Keating Centre, beginning at 7 p.m.

The Tigers will hit the ice next on Sunday, Nov. 15, in a home game versus the Mount Allison Mounties. Game time is 6:30 p.m. in Halifax.