X-Women shutout Panthers 3-0 in Game 5, advance to AUS championship series

ANTIGONISH, NS - In front of a capacity home crowd of over 1,600 hockey fans, the STFX X-Women delivered an exciting 3-0 win over the UPEI Panthers in the fifth and deciding game of their AUS playoff semifinal series. 

The X-Women came out with some jump, putting pucks to the net early while controlling possession. Boston Pizza Player of the Game Ashlyn Garnett put the home team on the scoreboard halfway through the period, knocking in a centering pass from Isabella Mariano.

Erin Cabaday remained busy in the UPEI net for the rest of the period, turning aside 15 shots in the first 20 minutes. 

UPEI returned fire in the second period but Brooklyn Oakes, who finished with a 15 save shutout, and the X-Women blue line kept the visitors off the board.

Alexis Perry made it 2-0 late in the second period with a highlight reel goal, making a nifty move at the blueline to get by a defender before snapping one bardown for the score. Ireland McCloskey and Landyn Pitts had the helpers.

The fast-paced action continued in the third as UPEI worked to get back into the game. The Panthers enjoyed a powerplay with eight minutes left but the X-Women penalty kill fought off the charge.

The Panthers pulled Cabaday late but Claire Carruthers iced the game with an empty netter for her third goal of the series.

With the win, the X-Women now face the UNB REDS in the AUS best of three championship series, with STFX hosting Game 1 on Monday, March 9th at 7 p.m. Game 2 is scheduled for Wednesday, March 11th in Fredericton, with Game 3, if necessary, on Friday, March 13th in Antigonish. 

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics