Hockey X-Women shooting for return to top of AUS podium

Young roster will tap into experience gained last season

By Corey LeBlanc

Despite their youth and inexperience at the Atlantic University Sport (AUS) level, the STFX X-Women made their presence felt in an abbreviated 2021-22 season.

Boasting a roster with 17 student-athletes in their first varsity campaigns, the White and Blue skated to a third-place finish in conference regular season (15-6-0-0) before ousting the rival Saint Mary's Huskies in a playoff semi-final series.

A two-game sweep at the hands of the UNB Reds – who will be defending their AUS banner this season – only left the X-Women feeling they have some unfinished business; this season, coming in with a steely-eyed focus on taking that next step and earning the top program's first conference crown since 2020.

"The learning curve is not as steep," STFX head coach Ben Berthiaume says, noting the importance of his young players gaining valuable experience – and succeeding – in their first seasons.

As it was last year, the X-Women's calling card will be "playing fast," according to the Antigonish native.

"We have a lot of speed, especially up front," Berthiaume adds.

Although the X-Women no longer have perennial conference all-star forward Tyra Meropoulis up front, there remains plenty of depth – led by senior Lea MacLeod (Dartmouth, NS) – a second-team all-star last season – and Maggie Burbidge (Falmouth, NS), who skated to a conference first-team nod in her first campaign in White and Blue.

"We expect both of them to be key contributors and leaders for us," Berthiaume says of the MacLeod-Burbidge combination.

Sophomore Kamdyn Switzer (Stittsville, ON) – coming off a strong first season – is expected to take that "next step."

"We think that she is going to have a big year," Berthiaume adds.

The quality list of returning forwards also includes Abby Lewis (Kanata, ON) and Anna MacCara (Yellowknife, NWT), along with hometown product Landyn Pitts (Antigonish, NS), who the veteran X mentor notes played a "solid rookie season."

Berthiaume notes that these types of players will be a key to fulfilling that goal "to be as fast as we can."

"It is going to be big for us," he reiterates about playing with pace.

Taking that approach will also help STFX reach its goal of gaining the advantage in puck possession.

"We are at our best when we are playing that way," Berthiaume explains, which feeds their ability to "attack off the rush."

Helping their forwards in achieving those goals, he points out that they are "complemented well" by a "pretty solid 'D' corps."

After stellar first AUS seasons, Lauren Dabrowski (Tiny, ON) – a first-team all-star – and Ella VandeSompel (London, ON), an all-rookie team member, will be back to help anchor a "talented" group of defenders.

"She is going to lead the charge," Berthiaume offers of experienced senior defender Josie Chisholm (Antigonish, NS).

Goaltending will continue to be a strength, with the return of 2022 AUS all-rookie team member Amaya Giraudier (Assiniboia, AB) and veteran Jamie Johnson (Victoria, BC), who led the X-Women on a great run in the 2020 playoffs that was snuffed out at nationals by the COVID-19 global pandemic.

"We are confident in what we have," he offers of that key position on the ice.

Although they have "plenty" of second-year players, who will continue to build on their first-year contributions, Berthiaume notes that the X-Women will need third and fourth-year student-athletes on the roster to chip in.

"It really started to develop after Christmas and continued into the playoffs," Berthiaume says of a balanced and deep line-up taking hold.

He adds, "We were getting contributions from a lot of different people, and we expect that to carry over."

Because of the large turnover in the roster last season, the 2022-23 recruiting class is much smaller, one made up of four true freshmen: defense Kya Moss (Port Moody, BC), along with forwards Megan Smith (Antigonish, NS), Josie King (Stillwater, NS) and Alyssa Fitt (Stellarton, NS).

"The potential is there," Berthiaume says, note that quartet's contribution this season will depend on not only how the X-Women, but also the student-athletes develop.

Hitting the ice

The White and Blue dropped the puck on the pre-season with a three-game, weekend road trip to Ontario.

Sophomore Switzer – unassisted – opening the scoring for the X-Women in a 3-1 loss the Guelph Gryphons on Sept. 22, with Johnson making 29 stops.

On the following day (Sept. 23), the X-Women rallied from a 2-0 deficit against the Waterloo Warriors – on the strength of goals from MacLeod, Burbidge and junior forward Chloe Vukosa (Mississauga, ON) – to make it 3-3 before the end of regulation. Madison Pritchard notched the game-winner for the Warriors in overtime.  

Giraudier made 18 saves for the X-Women.

STFX wrapped up the road trip with a 2-1 loss to Toronto Metropolitan, with Dabrowski – on the power play – tallying for the visitors.

Ice availability – due to the effects of Hurricane Fiona – wiped out the X-Women's final pre-season games, home-and-home games scheduled for Oct. 1st and 2nd versus the Huskies.

Scheduled to start the AUS regular season on home ice at the STFX Keating Centre, on Friday, Oct. 7, against Saint Mary's, that tilt has been postponed.

With that change, the White and Blue will play their first games on the road versus the Mount Allison Mounties (Oct. 8), St. Thomas Tommmies (Oct. 14) and UPEI Panthers (Oct. 15).

As of now, the X-Women faithful will get their first look at their team on home ice, when they host the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues on Saturday, Oct. 22. Puck drop is 7 p.m.

Berthiaume – once again – expects the AUS regular season to be a highly competitive one. "It gets better all the time," he says.

Berthiaume adds – if the X-Women take any opponent lightly – they will likely go home with a loss.

"We will be doing everything that we can to make sure that doesn't happen."

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