Burbidge scores twice as X-Women defeat Huskies 3-2

HALIFAX, NS - The Saint Mary's Huskies fell 3-2 versus the U SPORTS #8 ranked StFX X-Women on Wednesday night at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

The Huskies entered the night just three points back of the X-Women and were looking to close that gap to stay at pace with the top teams in the AUS. Both teams settled into the game fast and set a quick tempo in a rare mid-week affair.

It wouldn't take long for the scoring to get started as StFX's Chloe Vukosa (Mississauga, ON) carried the puck into the SMU zone and fed a nice drop pass between her legs to Lauren Dabrowski (Tiny, ON) who fired a quick shot under the arm of Sophie Scully (Ottawa, ON) just 2:41 into the game.

The Huskies had three straight powerplay opportunities, even with some 5-on-3 time but couldn't capitalize on the advantage. The closest they came was a shot by Ellen Laurence (Kentville, NS) that rang off the crossbar.

StFX carried their penalty killing momentum into even strength play and extended the lead to two when Lea MacLeod (Dartmouth, NS) slid a pass across the ice to Maggy Burbidge (Falmouth, NS) who flew into the slot and put the puck past a sliding Scully. 

Minutes later, after stepping out of the penalty box, Huskies forward Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB) chased down a clearing attempt, lifted the stick of the defender, stole the puck and buried a shot from in tight to bring SMU within one. 

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Shae Demale comes out of the penalty box and scores an impressive unassisted goal to cut the X-Women lead to 2-1 in the first period. @smuhuskieswh @AUS_SUA pic.twitter.com/xMiUMIw2Cw

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 2, 2022

StFX led in shots 10-7 at the first intermission.

The Huskies jumped out of the intermission quickly and were looking to tie things up early. Just 25 seconds into the frame Demale came down the right side and fired a quick shot that forced Jamie Johnson (Victoria, BC) to make a nice blocker save. One minute later it was Ashley Penney (Lawrencetown, NS) who has some space for a snapshot but again Johnson was there for the denial.

Saint Mary's got an early powerplay chance as Ella VandeSompel (London, ON) went to the box for slashing. Late in the penalty kill the X-Women pounced on a bobbled puck at the blueline and a pass up to Burbidge sent her streaking in on a partial breakaway. She made a nice move to her backhand and slid the puck past Scully to extend the lead to 3-1 with her second goal of the game.

Later in the period the Huskies were looking to close the gap but a chance in close by Mackenzie Beggs (Kemptville, ON) was stumped by Johnson.

StFX found themselves shorthanded once more later in the period and almost scored shorthanded again. MacLeod entered the zone, cut into the slot and fired a shot that beat Scully but deflected of the crossbar. Shots were 19-18 StFX as the teams headed into the second intermission.

Four and a half minutes into the final period while Saint Mary's was pressuring the puck came back to the blue line for Abigail Mackenzie (Stellarton, NS). She fired a shot through traffic and a screened Johnson was unable to track the puck as it sailed over her pad and into the net. It was Mackenzie's first AUS goal that brought the game to 3-2.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Abigail Mackenzie with her first career @AUS_SUA goal to cut the X-Women lead to 3-2 in the third period. @smuhuskieswh pic.twitter.com/KM5yR41kip

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 2, 2022

SMU was unable to capitalize on a late powerplay and even after pulling the goalie and sending a flurry of pucks towards the goal in the final two minutes they were unable to beat Johnson who made 27 saves and held on to preserve the 3-2 victory for the visiting X-Women.

Final shots were 29-25 for the Huskies. Neither team was able to score on the powerplay as the X-Women went 0/3 while SMU went 0/6.

Maggy Burbidge earned AUS Subway Player of the Game honours with two goals on the night. 

StFX's next test comes on Saturday when they host the Mount Allison Mounties.

Saint Mary's will look to get back into the win column on Saturday when they take on Moncton at the Dauphinee Centre at 3 p.m. GET TICKETS

Recap by Troy Langstaff / SMU Huskies Athletics