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X-Women win big game over first place Reds

The StFX X-Women defeated the UNB Reds 3-1 in a matinee match up on Sunday at the Charles V Keating Centre. It was another tight scoring affair between the U SPORTS No. 5 ranked Reds and ninth ranked X-Women, with both of the previous encounters ending 2-1 in favour of UNB.

Photo credit Bryan Kennedy
Photo credit Bryan Kennedy
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January 29, 2023

Antigonish, NS - The StFX X-Women defeated the UNB Reds 3-1 in a matinee match up on Sunday at the Charles V Keating Centre. It was another tight scoring affair between the U SPORTS No. 5 ranked Reds and ninth ranked X-Women, with both of the previous encounters ending 2-1 in favour of UNB.

UNB and STFX sit 1 and 2 in the AUS standings, as the X-Women look to join the Reds in securing the other first round playoff bye in the upcoming AUS playoffs, with four games remaining in the regular season schedule.

It was a highly anticipated match between the high scoring X-Women, who lead the AUS with 88 goals this season, and the stingy defence of the Reds, who have allowed only 31 goals so far.

Both teams displayed solid puck movement throughout the period, creating scoring chances on both ends.

Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC), who was named second star of the night, made a big glove save with X on the powerplay, around the 10 minute mark to keep the X-Women off the score sheet.

UNB opened the scoring at 12:16, with Alayna Wagstaff (Olds, AB) taking a drop pass from MacKenzie Keenan (Midhurst, ON) and putting a wrister into the X net, with Sydney Ottoman (Mississauga, ON) getting the other assist.

STFX replied with 14 seconds left in the period with defender Lauren Dabrowski (Tiny, ON), the game's third star - who came close to opening the scoring earlier in the game with a shot that hit the post - finding the back of the net on the power play.

Shots at the end of the first period were 11-8 in favour of STFX as the score was knotted at a goal apiece.

The X-Women came out quick in the second period, keeping the puck in the UNB end a couple of times in the first 10 minutes and putting pressure on visitors with plenty of pucks to the net. STFX goalie Amaya Giraudier (Assiniboia, SK), who was named the Subway player of the game, also had to make a couple of big stops late in the stanza, which ended with STFX leading in shots, 25-18.

After the scoreless second period, it was UNB who came out with some jump early in the third, but it was the X-Women who lit the lamp. U SPORTS leading scorer Maggy Burbidge (Falmouth, NS) got the last stick to the puck on a scramble in front of the UNB and put her team up by one with 3:30 left to play in the game. Lea MacLeod (Dartmouth, NS) and Dabrowski assisted.

The goal - her 22nd of the season and 40th point – would serve as the game winner.

Ellie Brown (Kemptville, ON) added an empty netter after blocking a UNB shot, solidifying the win for STFX.

Giraudier had 28 saves while picking up her ninth win of the season, while Woodland made 32 saves in only her third loss of the season. Shots at the end of the game were 35-29 in favour of the X-Women.

STFX is on the road next Friday, February 3 to take on the Saint Mary's Huskies in Halifax. UNB hosts the Dalhousie Tigers on Saturday, February 4 at the Aitken Centre.

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics

Prior to the game STFX Athletics recognized the accomplishment of UNB and STFX personnel on Team Canada who recently won the gold medal at the 2023 FISU World University Games - UNB Assistant Coach Kyle MacDonald, UNB Head Coach Sarah Hilworth, UNB athletes Kendra Woodland & Jenna MacLean, STFX athletes Maggy Burbidge & Lea MacLeod (photo credit Adam Grimmit)