Huskies punch ticket to AUS final with 1-0 3OT win over StFX

(HALIFAX, N.S.) - The Saint Mary's Huskies defeated the StFX X-Women 1-0 in triple overtime in the third and deciding game of the Subway AUS Women's Hockey Championship semifinals Tuesday night at Alumni Arena. With the win, they punch their ticket to both the AUS finals and the CIS women's hockey championship.

Huskies forward Mary Worndl (Kitchener, Ont.) was the overtime hero, scoring off a rebound in close 1:39 into the third overtime period. 

The game remained scoreless after the first period, despite two disallowed Saint Mary's goals and plenty more chances at both ends of the ice. The Huskies outshot the X-Women 12-5 in the opening frame.

The second period brought more intensity and excitement that permeated the entire game, as both goaltenders made key saves in their respective nets. Shots were 26-25 in favor of Saint Mary's after three periods between the evenly matched teams.

The first 10-minute four-on-four overtime period solved nothing despite spirited play and desperate attempts to get that huge winning goal.

The second overtime, a 20 minute period (also played four-on-four) did not result in a game-winner, despite the teams exchanging power play opportunities. Both goalies continued their amazing performances, turning aside game-saving pucks as they put up a shutout for a game and a half.

The deadlock was finally broken in the third overtime frame when Worndl (Kitchener, Ont.) scored in the opening 1:39 off assists from Laura Polak (Bedford, N.S.) and Sarah Douglas (Whitby, Ont.), bringing exhilaration for the Huskies and heartbreak for the X-Women.

Polak had eight shots on goal with several key chances including a hit crossbar in overtime for the Huskies. For the X-Women, fifth year defenseman Jenna Pitts (Antigonish, N.S.) led her team with eight shots on goal.

The Huskies outshot the X-Women 42-34. Rebecca Clark (Keswick, Ont.) made 34 saves to get the shutout and win for the Huskies. Subway player of the game Sojung Shin (Seoul, South Korea) stopped 41 shots in goal for the X-Women.

With the 2-1 semifinal series win, the Huskies advance to play the second place St. Thomas Tommies in the AUS best 2-of-3 final series.  

Source: StFX Sports Communications