CIS women's hockey Saturday roundup: Big 3rd period leads No. 3 Western over No. 6 Guelph

Source: Guelph Sports Info

Guelph, ON – In a matchup of the two top teams in OUA women's hockey, it would be the No. 3 Western Mustangs who would come out on top of a 3-1 score against the No. 6 Guelph Gryphons on Saturday afternoon at the Gryphon Centre.  The Gryphons led 1-0 after 40 minutes of play, but three goals in the final period would allow the Mustangs to improve to 17-1-3 while the Gryphons fall to 15-3-3. 12676

In the opening ten minutes of the game, chances were few and far between as the top two teams in the conference were getting a feel for the flow of the game and their opponent. A penalty taken by Western's Megan Taylor would allow Guelph to record the first shot of the game seven minutes into the period.  The Gryphons would add four more shots on net during the power play but were unable to find the back of the net as Western goalie Kelly Campbell (St.Thomas, ON) stood tall. With seven minutes remaining in the period, converted winger Leigh Shilton (Belleville, ON) would break the dead lock with her fifth goal of the season on a great individual effort.  In what was a one-on-three single-man rush, Shilton was still able to get off a shot that would fool Campbell and give the Gryphons a 1-0 lead.  With four minutes remaining in the opening period, the Mustangs would get a great chance to tie the game on the power play.  After some nice passing from the Mustangs, it appeared the game was going to be knotted at 1-1, but Gryphon goalie Steph Nehring (Oshawa, ON) would make a huge save, going post-to-post to keep Guelph's 1-0 lead intact heading to the second period.

In the second period, the Gryphons had several chances to extend their lead, but finding a way past Western goalie Kelly Campbell would prove to be a difficult task, as it usual is for OUA opponents.  Six minutes into the period, Katie Mora (Guelph, ON) found herself with the puck in the slot and ripped a shot, but Campbell was able to get down and get a blocker on it to steer it to the corner. With eight minutes to go, the Gryphons would get another couple of chances, as Kelly Gribbons (Port Elgin, ON) would shoot twice from the slot but was denied both times. Campbell would keep the Mustangs in the game, as she made several big saves while the Gryphons pressured Western's defence.  When the horn sounded after 40 minutes of play, the Gryphons had out-shot the Mustangs 26-10, but still just had a 1-0 lead to show for it. 12679

Four and half minutes into the final period, the Mustangs would finally get to Nehring as a shot from the point by Anthea Lasis (Toronto, ON) would squeak by the screened Gryphons netminder to tie the game at 1-1. Moments later Rebecca Daniel (Vaughan, ON) would take a boarding penalty sending the Mustangs to the power play. They would make quick work of their opportunity, as Kendra Broad (Petrolia, ON) would give Western the lead with their second goal in less than three minutes. With under 10 minutes remaining in the game, the Mustangs would strike for a third time.  A beautiful saucer pass by Kendra Broad on a two-on-one found the stick of Ali Beres (Lion's Bay, BC) who would increase the Mustangs lead to 3-1.

The Gryphons out-shot the Mustangs 32-17 on the day but suffer just their third regulation loss of the season.  The Gryphons will not have any time to dwell on the loss as they are back in action in less than 24 hours.  The Gryphs will play in their final home regular season home game of the 2014-2015 season schedule on Sunday afternoon at 2pm versus the Windsor Lancers (13-4-4).  That game also marks the 2nd Annual "Fight For Kevin" Charity Game played in honour of Gryphon alum Brooke Siddall's late brother Kevin.

Note: Prior to the game, the Gryphons honoured a pair of seniors in Captain Katie Mora and fourth year defenceman Gina Murray.

Source: Regina Sports Info

The University of Regina women's hockey team rebounded to take a 3-2 overtime decision over Mount Royal University on Saturday afternoon.

Kelly Regnier (pictured) had a goal and an assist in the win and Triston Riemer and Stephanie Sawchuk also scored for the Cougars. Shawni Rodeback and Janessa Jenkins each scored for the second-straight game for MRU.

It was a rebound that sealed the game for the Cougars, as the overtime winner was scored on a 4-on-3 powerplay by Riemer with help from an MRU defender. Riemer took a pass from Alexis Larson and put a shot on net. Jess Ross made a pad save but the rebound bounced off the leg of MRU defenceman and into the open cage.

Regina dominated the early minutes of the game but the momentum was shifted following a Michaela Esposito cross-checking penalty. MRU set up their powerplay and it was Rodeback benefitting, scoring her third goal of the weekend off assists from Carley Bertram and Tanika Dawson. Dawson sent a pass backdoor to Rodeback, who put a backhand shot on net. Jennifer Schmidt got a piece of it but the shot had enough on it to bounce in.

MRU added to its lead with 13:46 left in the second period, on another powerplay. Devonie Deschamps put a shot on net from the point, and it was deflected in front by Jenkins under the pad of Schmidt. Mairi Sorensen also assisted on Jenkins' second goal in as many days.

Regina would reply before the end of the second, on a powerplay of its own. Nikki Watters-Matthes put a shot on net and there was a scramble on the rebound, but Regnier collected it and went five hole on Ross to bring the Cougars within a goal. Tori Head earned an assist on the play, her first point since returning from a concussion on Friday.

Sawchuk tied it up with 9:03 remaining in the third period, coming off a turnover by MRU. Sawchuk collected a loose puck in the neutral zone and moved into the Mount Royal zone. She had Kylie Gavelin to her left but elected to shoot, beating Ross with a low wrist shot to the glove side.

Schmidt stopped 16 shots in net for the Cougars and Ross made 33 saves for the visitors.

The Cougars will close their Canada West regular season next weekend with a home-and-home against the Saskatchewan Huskies. Friday's game is set for 7 p.m. at The Co-operators Centre and Saturday's rematch will be played in Saskatoon.

Source: Rachel Villari, UBC Sports Information Assistant

VANCOUVER — The No. 9-ranked UBC Thunderbirds women's hockey team completed a sweep of the No. 8 ranked-University of Manitoba Bisons this afternoon, defeating them 5-2 in their last home game of the regular season at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre. With the pair of wins, the Thunderbirds (16-1-5-4) have overtaken the Bisons (13-5-7-1) in the Canada West standings, moving into second in the division with 54 points.

Senior Tatiana Rafter, who was honoured prior to the game along with Nikola Brown-John, gave the home crowd a fond farewell as she scored a pair of goals and an assist in the victory. She now sits third in the Canada West in scoring with 14 goals, 14 assists, and 28 points.

"It was a really emotionally charged game," Rafter said, following the victory. "I'm just really happy with all of it. My linemates really help me make sense on the ice and my teammates are just amazing people. I couldn't ask to be on the ice with better people. We're building momentum here and staying positive, we have a lot of good communication so it should be a good second half of the season."

The Bisons struck first, rushing the net on a power play just over three minutes into the game. After a barrage of rapid-fire shots, forward Courtlyn Oswald was able to poke one through for Manitoba's first tally of the afternoon. The Thunderbirds were able to regroup and rebound though, leveling the score with 3:07 left in the opening period. Rebecca Unrau intercepted a pass in the slot and made no mistake beating a stunned Rachel Dyck for her 14th goal of the season. The game remained tied at 1-1 after 20 minutes of action.

UBC took charge of the game halfway through the second period, securing their lead with a pair of back-to-back goals 1:33 apart. The first came from the top line as Rafter won a battle along the boards creating a two-on-one with Nicole Saxvik. Rafter feathered a great pass across to Saxvik who made no mistake for her 11th goal of the season. Moments later on the power play, Rafter found herself in front of the net, this time for a tip-in off of defenceman Celine Tardif's slap shot. The Thunderbirds took a two goal lead into the final period, 3-1.

The Bisons bounced back in the third with their second power play goal of the game. Manitoba's Michelle Pawluck found the net for her third goal of the year, off of a feed from Alana Serhan, the forward's ninth assist of the season.

Stephanie Schaupmeyer furthered the Thunderbirds' lead halfway through the period, controlling a bouncing puck in front of Manitoba's net. The goal was her third of the season, and her line's third of the game. Rafter rounded out the scoring on the power play, beating Dyck from the high slot for her second of the afternoon and 14th of the season. The power play goal was Rafter's eighth of the year, tops in the Canada West.

"We played the full 60 minutes this afternoon," head coach Graham Thomas said after the game. "We played with desperation, with a will to win and executed. That will and that drive to get the puck and win those battles just over powered them this afternoon. I'm just really proud of the team. We had a tough challenge coming into this weekend with one of the best teams in the country coming in and we did it. They worked really hard and the deserve it. They earned it."

Senior Brown-John agreed in part with Thomas, but had an addendum to what fueled UBC's stellar performance. "It was an emotional last home game, but I think the emotions helped us. It kept us charged and I think it also motivated the entire team. This afternoon everyone just came together and we all were looking at that common goal and we all worked really hard to get there. We're on a roll here now, we've got to keep this momentum going into the playoffs."

UBC is now on a five-game winning streak. For their final series of the regular season they head to take on the division leader, the University of Alberta Pandas. If the 'Birds are able to win one game in the series, they'll earn a much coveted bye week as they enter the postseason, but of course, they're aiming for the sweep and top spot in the Canada West.

Manitoba will host Calgary in the final week of regular season play, with the aim of retaking second place.

Source: Dalhousie Sports Info

The Tigers took down the first place team, StFX X-women, tonight at the Forum for the first time in six years. With this huge win the Tigers now sit ahead of the UPEI Panthers and the Mount Allison Mounties. The X-women continue to hold their first place standing.

The Tigers came out roaring to the first period and held their own against the X-women.  Marita Alfieri started it off for the Tigers scoring the first goal of the game at the 10:10 mark. The X-women countered back shortly after and just missed the net, slapping one off the crossbar. With under a minute left in the period Sarah Robichaud snuck another past Pascale Daigle to strengthen the Tigers lead to 2-0 entering the second period.

The Tigers didn't let up in the second period. Maggie Beaton added another goal for the Tigers at the 6:08 mark, of which the X-women contested. The goal remained and the Tigers took a 3-0 lead.  The Tigers continued to bring the heat with a power play goal from Victoria MacIntosh and a short-handed goal by Alfieri. The Tigers ended the period with an outstanding 5-0 lead over the X-women.

In the Third the X-Women managed to snatch one goal by Sarah Bujold, preventing Jessica Severeyns of a shutout win.  The Tigers also added another to the scoreboard with a second power play goal by Morgen Kidney.

Severeyns made an astonishing 38 saves for the Tigers and only let one slip past her. Elizabeth MacArthur, Schyler Campbell, and Connor Garagan all led the game in shooting with six shots each.

The Tigers are back in action at Mount Allison February 11th for their final regular season game and the X-women look to continue to prepare for the upcoming play off season.

Source: Calgary Sports Info

CALGARY- In a game that remained scoreless through 38 minutes, the University of Alberta Pandas silenced the University of Calgary Dinos' offence and earned a 2-0 victory on Enterprise Seniors' Night at the Father David Bauer Arena.

"We played well and at the end of the day we have to stay positive and not give up. We know we have a lot coming in the next couple of weeks," said head coach Danielle Goyette.

After falling 4-1 against the Pandas Friday evening, the Dinos were looking to get back in the win column against their provincial rival. Prior to puck drop, the team recognized their five graduating players; Sarah Astle, Janelle Parent, Erika Mitschke, Jenna Smith and Chelsea Peterson on Saturday evening.

Playing their last regular season game on home ice for the 2014-2015 season gave Calgary the momentum and drive they'd been seeking, controlling the play and puck throughout the first period. Alberta was held without a shot for the first eight minutes of the first period.

"We started the second period properly, the ref changed the game. It was a good game but sometimes you wonder what the ref is calling," explained Goyette. "Our goal was to play a good game and work on the things we'd talked about after yesterdays loss, but four to six penalties in a period is going to change the momentum of the game."

Following some strong penalty killing by the Dinos, the Pandas would bury the game's first goal on a man advantage. With less than two minutes to play in the middle frame, Natasha Steblin fired a slap pass to the blocker side of Hayley Dowling. Hannah Olenyk was in the right position and redirected it for Janelle Froehler to beat Dowling five hole.

Alberta would find the back of the net once again midway through the third period. Allison Campbell set up Tess Houston in the slot who beat Dowling with an accurate shot.

"Tonight for us we lost on paper but we played sixty minutes the way we talked about playing the game," said Goyette. "We've been struggling lately but as long as we continue to form an identity and build character that's all we can ask. These girls aren't giving up."

The Pandas will head home to host the No. 9 University of British Columbia Thunderbirds to close out their seasons.

The Dinos will head to Winnipeg next weekend to take on the No. 8 University of Manitoba Bisons, in the last weekend of regular season action.