X-Women knock off U SPORTS No. 2 Tommies in overtime

Antigonish, NS - The StFX X-Women (11-7) skated to a 4-3 double-overtime win over the visiting and U SPORTS second-ranked St. Thomas Tommies (15-4) in AUS hockey action Sunday afternoon at the Keating Centre.

At 1:48, Emily Power (Airdrie, AB), on the power play, scored the game-winner with a one-timer, after taking a pass from Lindsey Donovan (Mirimachi, NB). Kara Power (New Glasgow, NS) collected the other helper for the X-Women.

The X-Women rallied from a two-goal deficit in the third period to force the extra session.

In the first period, the X-Women collected the best early chances, but Tommies goaltender Abby Clarke (Springdale, NL) turned them aside, including with a sparkling glove save on Kara Power.

Midway through the frame, the visitors took a 1-0 edge, at 10:35, when St. Thomas captain Kelty Apperson (New Hamburg, ON) stole a puck just inside her own blue line and raced in alone, before besting X-Women goaltender Ariana Orasanin (Ancaster, ON), with a shot along the ice, after deking to her forehand. The goal was a shorthanded marker.

Just 24 seconds later, at 10:59, Heather Tillsley (Aurora, ON) knotted the contest, on the power play, from Daley Oddy (Cranbrook, BC) and Kara Power.

At 14:52, the Tommies regained the edge with Alisha Gilbert (Nepean, ON) tallying from Becky Conner (East St. Paul, MB).

With less than one minute remaining in the first period, on the power-play, Emily Oleksuk (Thunder Bay, ON) made it 3-1, from Apperson and Eliza Snider (Fort Saskatchewan, SK).

The teams played to a scoreless second period, with the X-Women holding a 14-2 shots-on-goal advantage.

In the third period, at 7:30, the home team sliced the Tommie lead in half. On the forecheck, Lisa Downey (Stratford, ON) caused a turnover and centered to Connor Garagan (Fredericton, NB), who beat Clarke five-hole. Brooke Noseworthy (St. Anthony, NL) garnered the other assist.

Less than two minutes later, at 9:13, Noseworthy notched the equalizer, from the lip of the crease, after taking a centering pass from Kara Power.

A short time later, Kara Power tested Clarke with a hard slap shot and rebound attempt, but Clarke preserved the tie.

Jessie McCann (Grand Bay, NB) tried to give the Tommies back the lead, but Orasanin made the stop through traffic.

Conner also attempted a backhander from close quarters, but Orasanin stood tall.

Late in regulation, Oddy raced in, on a 2-on-1, and got a hard shot away, which Clarke got a piece off, before it hit the far goal post.

Early in the 4-on- 4 overtime period, Orasanin made a sparkling toe save to keep the game going.

Noseworthy was named Subway player of the game and first star, while Apperson and Kara Power were second and third stars, respectively.

Orasanin made 18 saves for the win, while Clarke turned aside 35 shots in the loss.

The Tommies will be back in action Friday, Jan. 27, when they visit the Dalhousie Tigers in a 7 p.m. start.

The X-Women will return to the ice Saturday, January 28, in a road game against the Universite de Moncton Aigles Bleues. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m.

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The X-Women and Tommies prior to the game with their Bell Let's Talk toques, raising awareness for mental health NIC LATULIPPE PHOTO