Ice X-Women cruise to 5-1 win over Tigers

The reigning AUS champion X-Women hockey team opened the season with a bang, handing the Dalhousie Tigers a 5-1 loss in front of a great opening night crowd Friday night at the Keating Centre in Antigonish. The win was powered by a second period surge that saw the X-Women score three goals in the opening three minutes of the frame.

Brittney Perkins opened the scoring for StFX at the 17:03 mark of the first period on a late period shorthanded breakaway. Suzanne Fenerty and Jenna Pitts assisted on the play. The Tigers thought they had the game tied 1-1 in the final seconds of the first period, but the goal was ruled disallowed as it crossed the goal line after the buzzer.  The score remained 1-0 StFX after 20 minutes of play.

The X-Women opened the second frame on fire, potting three quick goals in the opening three minutes to put the game out of reach at 4-0. Abygail Laking (Pitts, Jenna Downey) started the onslaught with a powerplay marker, followed by tallies from Sadie Whaley (Downey, Perkins) and Sydnee Parker off an Erin Brophy pass. 

Whaley`s goal was extra special as it was the first of her freshman year and AUS hockey career.

The third period saw the X-Women and Tigers trade goals. Reigning CIS Rookie of the Year Alex Normore scored for StFX just 40 seconds into the period, while veteran Jocelyn Leblanc scored the lone goal for the Tigers.

The conclusion of the game saw StFX outshoot Dalhousie 33-19. StFX forward Brittney Perkins was the Subway Player of the Game recording one goal and one assist in the win. Katie Greenway earned the win in nets for the X-Women while Brittany McMacken was tagged with the loss for the Tigers in her AUS debut.

Next on the schedule for the X-Women is a matchup against Mount Allison in Sackville on Sunday, October 23rd.