Huskies upset X-Women in AUS playoffs

The Saint Mary’s Huskies upset the StFX X-Women 5-3 in AUS playoff action Saturday afternoon in Moncton, eliminating them from further playoff contention.

The AUS second seeded X-Women were favored heading into the game and held a 4-0 record over the Huskies in regular season play this, however it was the Huskies who came out on top to advance on to meet Moncton in the AUS championship game. Saint Mary’s finishes with a 2-0 record in pool play while the X-Women were 1-1.

Player of the Game Lauren McCusker had two goals (including the game winner) and an assist and Kyla Thurston had a goal and three assists to pace the Huskies win.

It was the X-Women who opened the scoring in the game with Carolyn Campbell tipping in a Leah Boucher shot from the point 13:40 into the first period. Sidney Ritchie also assisted on the play. The Huskies tied the game less then two minutes later before as McCusker notched her first goal of the day with Thurston and Carla Little assisting.

The 1-1 tie held after 20 minutes of play with the Huskies holding a 12-8 shot advantage.

The second period began with Saint Mary’s taking an early lead with a Kyla Thurston goal just 1:26 in. X-Women goaltender Katie Harvieux made the initial save and Thurston followed up on her own shot and scored on the rebound. Danielle MacDougall and Lauren McCusker earned the assists.

The X-Women replied with a goal at the 7:09 minute mark as Jacinta Sullivan banged a loose puck into the SMU net after the X-Women were pressuring in front. Nicole Hansom and Sydnee Parker assisted on the play. The turning point in the game came four minutes later as McCusker broke loose and scored a short handed goal for the Huskies, giving them a 3-2 edge in the game in what would prove to be the eventual game winner. Shots were 17-11 in favour of the X-Women in the second period.

Sarah Maynard increased the Huskies lead to 4-2 with a third period goal at 10:07. The puck bounced in on an unfortunate, awkward bounce off the mask of Katie Harvieux. Laura Grant pulled the X-Women back to within a goal with less then a minute later off a shot from the point that beat Saint Mary’s netminder Jillian MacIsaac. Jessica Shanahan and Aby Laking assisted on the play for StFX.

As time ticked down in the game, the X-Women pulled Harvieux with 1:07 left in favour of the extra attacker but the Huskies were able to clear the puck from the X end and Kori Cheverie scored an empty net goal to seal the victory for the third seeded Huskies.

Shots in the game ended at 32-32 as MacIssac earned the win in nets for Saint Mary’s, who now advance to play the Moncton Aigles Bleues for the AUS championship game Sunday at 2:00 pm. The winner will advance to the CIS championship taking place March 11-14 at StFX University. The X-Women have already earned a berth in the national tournament as the host team.

StFX Sports Information