X-Women beat REDS and will host deciding Game 3

FREDERICTON, NB - It's down to one game for the AUS championship banner. 

The STFX X-Women evened their AUS championship series with the UNB REDS with a hard fought 2-1 win on Wednesday night at the Aitken Centre. The third and deciding game, which will also determine the AUS entry into the U SPORTS national tournament, is set for Friday night in Antigonish.   

The action was tense early on with both teams fighting for the opening score. The X-Women created a couple of big chances midway through the opening period, with Alexis Perry ringing one off the post, before a Lainey Joyce shot took a few bounces near the crease before UNB cleared the puck. 

The Blue and White continued to limit UNB chances in the second period, while still keeping Cassie McCallum busy in the REDS net. STFX veteran defender Vivian Hinch broke the deadlock late in the second period, breaking through the UNB defense from the red line after a pass from Toby Graham and firing one short side. 

The REDS picked things up in the third period, and Payton Hargreaves tied things up seven minutes into the final stanza while on the power play, knocking in a Jorga Nystrom rebound. STFX wasn't to be denied though, as Boston Pizza Player of the Game Ireland McCloskey notched what proved to be the game winner five minutes later, snapping one high from a tight angle. 

The REDS pulled McCallum in the final minutes, but Brooklyn Oakes shut the door and the X-Women headed home with the win. Oakes finished with 16 saves and the victory, while McCallum had 28 stops on the night. 

With the win, STFX forces the deciding game 3 back at the STFX Keating Centre on Friday night. Puck drop is 7:00 pm.

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Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics