Miranda Hatt's goal lifts Huskies 1-0 over Mounties

(Halifax, NS) In Sunday afternoon, AUS women's hockey action, the Saint Mary's Huskies defeated the Mount Allison Mounties 1-0 at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

The Huskies were quick off the mark in the first period, keeping the Mounties hemmed in their zone and forcing multiple icing calls against Mount A. The Mounties didn't get their first shot on net until 13 minutes into the game as they focused on staving off the Saint Mary's attack.

The Huskies' best chance of the period came about halfway through, as Brooke Murphy (Balla Philip, NB) rushed down the right wing on a two on one before dishing the puck over to Aimee O'Neill (Glace Bay, NS). Goalie Bianca Zac (Stonewall, MB) made a nice stop on the play.

The Mounties got some momentum late in the period as Kiana Wilkinson (Prince George, BC) headed to the penalty box, but the Mounties were unable to capitalize on their power play with a success rate of 2.6 per cent so far this season. The period ended with both teams scoreless. Saint Mary's led in shots 15-5.

The Huskies continued to take pucks to the net in the second period, leading 14-2 on the shot clock and getting a three on one rush that Miranda Hatt (Eastern Passage, NS) couldn't quite finish.

The Mounties held their own, getting in passing lanes and creating turnovers. They also matched the Huskies' speed at times, most notably with the quick feet of Nicole Wong (Richmond, BC).

In the dying seconds of the period, the Mounties took a four-minute penalty, giving Saint Mary's an opportunity to open the scoring in the final frame.

The Huskies' power play, however, didn't capitalize and the game stayed tied until halfway through the period when, on the man advantage again, Hatt fired a wrist shot from the face off dot that went high short side and into the net. It was her fifth goal of the season that put the Huskies up 1-0.

That was how it would stay for the rest of the game as Saint Mary's came away with a close win.

Making 44 saves, Mount A's Bianca Zak was named the Subway Player of the Game.

The Huskies play next on Nov. 9 when they travel to face St. Thomas. The Mounties host Dalhousie that same day. Both games start at 7 p.m.

Sarah Moore, SMU Communications

Photo Nick Pearce