Mounties Hockey with spirited effort in home opener

(SACKVILLE, NB) Mount Allison played host to St. FX in their home opener this evening with the final score favouring the visiting team 5-3.

The X-Women jumped out to an early lead when a shot from the point was tipped in by McKiya Mazur (Russell, MB) at the 2:16 mark of the first period. St. FX would continue to apply the pressure early and often as they doubled their lead moments later when Maggy Burbidge (Falmouth, NS) was sent in all alone and snipped the top right corner.

St. FX would add a third goal at the 9:02 mark on a phenomenal solo effort by Lauren Dabrowski (Tiny, ON). The defensive stalwart went end-to-end, deked out the Mounties defense and unleashed a wrister that went over the goaltender's shoulder.

Subway Player of the Game Bianca Zak (Stonewall, MB) from the Mounties faced shots from all angles as the X-Women did not hold back firing 19 shots in the opening frame. She would finish with 33 saves on 38 shots and allowed her team to remain in the game.

Mount Allison would get one back early in the second period as Chelsea Krahenbil (Winnipeg, MB) recovered a shot that went off a St. FX defender and right on her stick and made no mistake with a hard low shot that found the back of the net.

St. FX sharpshooter Burbidge would later add her second of the game with a backhand snipe after being sent in on a breakaway from a wild bounce off the boards. Both teams would exchange chances but were unable to add to their scores with the second period favouring the X-Women 4-1.

Much to the delight of the home crowd, the Mounties would come out motivated and hungry in the third and come within one goal as Krahenbil added another tally and Rachael Carson (Burlington, ON) would pop her first of the year. The comeback would fall just short as Kamdyn Switzer (Stittsville, ON) scored an empty netter to cement the victory for St. FX.

Mount Allison (0-2-0-0) will host UNB on October 14 at 7 p.m.

St. FX (1-0-0-0) for their part will travel to Charlottetown to play UPEI at 7 p.m.

Recap courtesy of Mounties Athletics