X-Women shutout Panthers in home opener

ANTIGONISH, NS - The STFX X-Women skated away with a tight 2-0 win over the visiting UPEI Panthers on Friday night at the Charles V Keating Centre in their home opening game.

Gabriel Pizza Player of the Game and first star Brooklyn Oakes picked up the shutout for the X-Women, finishing with 24 saves on the night.  

Oakes had a trio of big saves in the first five minutes while play remained close for most of the period. The X-Women looked dangerous during a 5-on-3 powerplay with five minutes to go in the period, but UPEI goalie and the game's second star Erin Cabaday, along with solid shot blocking from the Panthers penalty killers, kept the puck out of the net. 

The UPEI powerplay went to work late in the first period, but the score at intermission was 0-0. 

There were plenty of chances for both teams in the second, but things remained scoreless heading into the final period.    

Third star on the night Tea Pearce broke the deadlock one minute into the third, firing home a rebound off a shot from Alexis Perry, with Lainey Joyce also assisting. 

The Panthers picked up the pace looking for the equalizer but STFX's shot blocking and more solid work from Oakes kept them off the scoreboard. STFX rookie Toby Graham added an empty netter in the final minutes, making it 2-0 for the home side.  

The X-Women return to action Saturday afternoon, when they host Moncton at 3 p.m.  

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper