Antigonish, NS - The StFX X-Women topped the UPEI Panthers 3-2 in overtime Sunday afternoon at the Keating Centre.
Freshman forward Emerson Elliott (Aurora, ON) was the overtime hero, scoring 47 second into the extra period to give the X-Women their sixth win of the season.
The opening 20 minutes saw both teams play scoreless hockey. StFX goaltender Carly Molnar (London, ON) faced only two shots, while UPEI goaltender Camille Scherger (Lloydminster, AB) turned aside all 14 of the X-Women's shots.
The second period opened with an X-Women goal at 2:45 following a scuffle in front of the net. Veteran forward Jenna MacDonald (Osgoode, ON) was able to keep the puck alive until Lindsey Donovan (Miramichi, NB) could throw it towards the net, allowing forward Kate Gotaas (Sherwood Park, AB) to go top shelf on Scherger.
At the 8:50 minute mark X-Women defense Amy Graham was sent to the penalty box on an interference call, allowing the Panthers to score their first goal of the evening only eight seconds into the power play. Shelby Foran (Whitney, NB) took the initial shot on net, but forward Sydnee Baker (Chatham, ON) was able to get a wrist shot past Molnar. Rachel Cole (Toronto, ON) was also credited with an assist on the play.
UPEI took the lead at with just under two minutes left in the period as Faith Steeves (Havelock, NB) lead the rush into the X-Women's zone, and Emma Weatherbie (Charlottetown, PE) was able to redirect the puck into the net. Also credited with an assist was Ashtyn Bartlett (Durham Bridge, NB).
The X-Women came right back and tied the game less than a minute later while on the man advantage as Panthers Gabriella Gray (Brownlee, SK) was serving a penalty for interference. Twelve seconds into their second power play of the afternoon Donovan, from the point, passed to Santana Gravelle (Lumsden, SK) who threw the puck on net. X-Women Captain Daley Oddy (Cranbrook, BC) then backhanded the shot past Scherger, evening the game at 2-2 heading into the third period.
Despite being outshooting the Panthers 11-3 in the third period, and having one power play opportunity, the X-Women were unable to score and the game remained tied at the end of regulation.
The four-on-four overtime period lasted only 47 seconds as Nicole Corcoran (Bloomfield, PE) passed to Kristen McKinley (Rothesay, NB) in the slot and after McKinley fired an initial shot on net which was saved by Scherger, Elliott capitalized on the rebound for the game winning marker.
Shots in the game were lopsided 37-9 in favour of StFX as the games' third star was awarded to Panther goaltender Camille Scherger who had 34 saves. X-Women forward Daley Oddy was awarded second star for her strong performance, and Lindsey Donovan was first star and Subway Player of the Game after earning two assists.
The X-Women are on the road for their next game, facing Mount Allison Friday at 7pm. The Panthers will play Dalhousie at the Halifax Forum, also on Friday at 7pm.
-30-
Courtesy Kiana Pace, StFX Athletics Communications