Morrison's shootout winner lifts X-Women over Huskies

HALIFAX, NS – STFX forward Samantha Morrison scored a goal and the shootout winner, lifting the X-Women to a 3-2 shootout win over the Saint Mary's Huskies in Atlantic University Sport women's hockey action on Saturday afternoon at the Dauphinee Centre.

The first period was a defensive battle, with the X-Women outshooting the Huskies 12-6 through the opening 20 minutes, but goaltenders Sophie Scully and Brooklyn Oakes turned away all shots they faced, as the two teams went into intermission scoreless.

Scully continued her outstanding play into the second period, making a great save on a STFX two-on-none to keep it scoreless.

But the X-Women broke through on their 20th shot of the game, as Morrison was sent on a breakaway and beat Scully with a top shelf backhand to put the X-Women ahead 1-0, 8:54 into the second period.

Six minutes later the visitors doubled their lead, as forward Tea Pearce scored a breakaway goal to extend the lead to 2-0, 14:13 into the second period.

The X-Women outshot the Huskies 9-6 in the middle frame and took a 2-0 lead into intermission.

The Huskies pushed to cut into the X-Women lead in the third period, but couldn't stay out of the penalty box. Scully continued her strong play to keep the Huskies in it.

With under six minutes remaining, the Huskies got a powerplay opportunity of their own and capitalized, as forward Gillian Lapierre was able to direct in the rebound of an Anna Barrington point shot, cutting the lead to 2-1, 14:19 into the third period.

Saint Mary's pulled Scully from net with under two minutes remaining and were able to get a last minute equalizer, as Mia Faseruk banged in the rebound off of an Avery Cant shot to tie the game with 42 seconds remaining, forcing overtime.

Five minutes of overtime solved nothing, with big saves from both Oakes and Scully, and the two rivals headed into a shootout.

In the shootout, Oakes denied Mia Faseruk, Charlotte Buffie and Kara MacLean. Scully kept Ireland McCloskey's attempt out, but Morrison was able to score the shootout winner, giving the X-Women a 3-2 win.

Morrison was named Player of the Game with a goal and the shootout winner. The X-Women outshot the Huskies 33-24 on the night, with Oakes stopping 22 shots for the win. Scully had 30 saves in defeat.

With the win the X-Women improve to 11-4-0-0, while the Huskies drop to 7-6-0-2. The two rivals will match up again next Friday, Nov. 28, with the puck dropping at 7 p.m. at the Dauphinee Centre.

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Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Eduardo Ibarra / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics