Sydney England’s First Career goal lifts Huskies over Aigles Bleues

(Halifax, NS) The Saint Mary's Huskies defeated L'Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus 2-1 at the Halifax Forum in AUS women's hockey action.

The Huskies opened the scoring nine minutes into the game. Defender Kaitlin Howarth (Thunder Bay ,ON) shot the puck from the point and it was deflected by Sydney England (Chamcook ,NB) and into the net. This was England's first career goal.

The Huskies took a 2-0 lead five and a half minutes later, Caleigh Meraw (Red Deer, AB) shot the puck wide of the net. However, forward Katie Peddle (Labrador City, NL) wacked the puck out of the air and through her legs towards the net. The play surprised UdeM goaltender Audrey Berthiaume (St-Bruno, QC) and the puck went by her. Caitlin Pejkovic (Sherwood Park, AB) was credited with the other assist.

There was no score in the second period but the Huskies had the best scoring chance. Brooke Murphy (Balla Phillip, NB) received a pass in the slot and Berthiaume tried to move over but still had open net on the left side. Murphy tried to aim for that part of the net but she fell as she was shooting and missed.

UdeM got on the board five and half minutes into the third period. Cassandra Labrie's (Cole Harbour, NS) point shot hit the skate of teammate Janelle Graham (Dieppe NB) and deflected to Katryne Villeneuve (Casselman, ON) at the side of the net. Villeneuve quickly snapped the puck through the legs of Huskies' goaltender Rebecca Clark (Keswick, ON) and into the net.

In the last six minutes of the game, UdeM double shifted their top line of Villeneuve, Graham and Katherine Dubuc (Victoriaville, QC) to try to find the tying goal but Saint Mary's didn't give them a lot of space and created lengthy board battles to kill time. UdeM was unable to score and Saint Mary's won the game 2-1.

Moncton narrowly outshot the Huskies 18-17. Clark made 17 saves for Saint Mary's while Berthiaume made 16 for UdeM.

The win boosts the Huskies record to 7-3-1 while UdeM's drops to 5-6-1.

The Huskies are back in action on Saturday as they take on UPEI at the Civic Arena at 7:00 p.m.

Josh Young, SMU Communications

Photo Nick Pearce