Tigers steal shootout victory over X-Women

Antigonish, NS – The Dalhousie Tigers stole a 4-3 shootout victory over the StFX X-Women Friday night at the Charles V. Keating Centre. Tigers goaltender Fabiana Petricca (Woodbridge, ON) turned in an impressive 58 save performance and did not allow a goal in the shootout.

Petricca's .946 save percentage earned her Subway player of the game and first start honours.

Keana Oshowy (Woodbridge, ON), the second star of the game, was the overtime hero for the Tigers, scoring the game winning goal and only goal of the shootout. X-Women defense Lindsey Donovan (Mirimichi, NB) was the third star of the game.

The X-Women opened the scoring early on in the opening frame. Donovan stole the puck at the blue line and passed to Alley Goodreau (Airdrie, AB) who slipped the puck through the five hole of Petricca.

StFX held the lead and play passed quickly with very few whistles in the game, until Dalhousie answered with their own goal at 10:40. Following a two-on-one rush to the net, Autumn Moors (Ottawa, ON) took the initial shot towards the net, leading X-Women goaltender Carley Molnar (London, ON) out of position and unable to get back fast enough to stop forward Taylor Joyce (Halifax, NS) from adding Dalhousie's first tally of the evening. Oshowy was also given an assist for her work on the goal.

Shots in the first period favoured StFX at 12-8.

Dalhousie briefly took the lead 3:41 into the second period when first year forward Kennedy Whelan (Allison, ON) deked her way past X-Women defense Emily Power (Airdrie, AB) and slipped the puck past Molnar.

StFX answered 1:41 seconds later when freshman forward Lea MacLeod (Dartmouth, NS) connected with a pass from fellow rookie Tyra Meropoulis (Edson, AB) with a shot that rang off the top corner of the crossbar and behind Petricca.

Entering the second half of middle period tied at two goals apiece, there was an obvious push from both teams to take the lead and at 10:29, StFX's top line managed to break the tie. Emerson Elliott (Aurora, ON) tipped in a shot following a skirmish in front of the net and a shot towards goal by Hannah MacDonald (Wetaskiwin, AB). Credited with assists on the goal were captain Sarah Bujold (Riverview, NB) and Kate Gotaas (Sherwood Park, AB).

StFX tried to further their lead in the final two minutes of the period but, as was the story for most of the evening, Petricca was solid in the net for the Tigers. Following a scoring attempt by Meropoulis, Dalhousie defence Lauren Ellerton (Toronto, ON) made a bank pass off the boards to Whelan who skated the puck into the crease before losing possession. Joyce recovered the loose puck and managed to beat the X-Women netminder, potting her second goal of the evening.

StFX outshot Dalhousie 16-6 in the second period as both teams remained tied 3-3 after 40 minutes.

Both teams battled throughout the final regulation frame but neither team was able to take the lead. In the dying minutes of the period, while Dalhousie was on only the second power-play of the evening, the hometown crowd was re-energized when the tides turned in favour of StFX. With Dalhousie's Danika Phillips (Barrie, ON) and Moors serving penalties for slashing and cross-checking respectively, StFX tried to capitalize on the four-on-three person advantage but were unable to beat Petricca.

Shots in the third period widely favoured StFX at 21-4 but Petricca held her ground.

Neither team was able to find the back of the net during the ten-minute overtime, despite StFX keeping up their flurry of shots at 12-2.

Of the three shooters from each team only Oshowy was able to score in the ensuing shootout, beating Molnar and securing a win for the visiting Tigers.

Total shots in the contest favoured StFX 61-20.

The X-Women will travel to Moncton Saturday evening to take on the Universite de Moncton Aigles Bleues, while Dalhousie will visit the UPEI Panthers on October 19th. Puck drop for both games is at 7pm.

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Courtesy Kiana Pace, StFX Sports Information