Huskies defeat Tigers 4-2 in home opener, win annual Lobster Trap Challenge

HALIFAX, NS - The Saint Mary's Huskies women's hockey team had a successful home opener on Saturday night, defeating crosstown rival Dalhousie Tigers 4-2, powered by two goals by Subway Player of the Game Aimee O'Neill.

It was the first game of the season for the Huskies but they were very familiar with the competition, as the two rivals had played three preseason games prior to Saturday night's regular season tilt at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax. There was also a little extra on the line this weekend, as the team with the highest combined score between the men's and women's games would secure the annual Clearwater Seafoods Lobster Trap Challenge.

It was the visitors from Dalhousie who took an early lead when Tigers centre Olivia Eustace (Riverview, NB) intercepted a pass behind the Huskies goal and fired a pass to winger Brooklyn Paisley (Shawinigan Lake, BC), who directed the puck past Huskies first year goaltender Sophie Scully (Ottawa, ON), to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead, just 3:44 into the first period.

Just under four minutes later, the Huskies had a powerplay and found the equalizing goal, when forward Aimee O'Neill (Glace Bay, NS) tipped home a point shot from Eve LeBlanc (Petit-Rocher, NB), which snuck past Tigers goaltender Maggie Baxter (Mahone Bay, NS) to tie the game at 1-1, 7:19 into the first. Huskies captain Caleigh Meraw (Red Deer, AB) also was credited with an assist on the goal.

The Huskies powerplay struck again just under 10 minutes later, when reigning AUS MVP Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB) sniped a shot through a crowd in front of the Tigers goal, beating Baxter for her first of the season. Assists were credited to Kara McLean (Antigonish, NS) and Abigail Mackenzie (Stellarton, NS).

Saint Mary's outshot Dalhousie 12-7 in the first period, and took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.

Just over seven minutes into the second period, Saint Mary's extended their lead when Aimee O'Neill scored her second goal of the game on a three-on-two, assisted by Kara MacLean.

Less than two minutes later, the Tigers cut into that lead when first year forward Anika Curri (New Canaan, CT) banged home the rebound of a Lexie Small (Grand Falls, NL) shot past Scully. Curri's first career AUS goal made the score 3-2 for the Huskies 9:29 into the second period.

The Huskies outshot the Tigers 12-3 in the second period and took a 24-10 shot advantage into the final frame.

In the third period, the Huskies got an insurance marker when forward Ashley Penney (Lawrencetown, NS), wheeled into the Tigers zone and fired a cross-ice pass directly onto the tape of Mary McDonald (Calgary, AB), who one-timed it into the Tigers goal to give the Huskies a 4-2 lead, 8:08 into the third period.

The 4-2 lead would stand, as the Huskies defence locked down on the Tigers, holding them to just three third period shots. For the game the Huskies outshot the Tigers 37-13.

Huskies forward Aimee O'Neill was named Subway Player of the Game with two goals on the evening. Eve LeBlanc and Kara MacLean each added two assists on the night.

Maggie Baxter was excellent in goal for the Tigers, with 33 saves on the evening, while Sophie Scully stopped 11 shots for her first career AUS win.

The Saint Mary's win also secured the victory in the annual Lobster Trap Challenge presented by Clearwater Seafoods. The Huskies women's 4-2 win, combined with the Huskies men's 8-2 win on Friday night, gave Saint Mary's a combined 12-4 win in this year's Lobster Trap Challenge, which raised funds for Canadian Blind Hockey.

The Tigers loss dropped their record to 1-1 on the campaign. Dalhousie will be back on the road next weekend, as they travel to New Brunswick for a back-to-back with the Moncton Aigles Bleus on Saturday, Oct. 15 (7 p.m. puck drop), and the St. Thomas Tommies on Sunday, Oct. 16 (3 p.m. puck drop).

The Huskies will be back on home ice next Saturday, as they host the defending AUS champion UNB REDS on Saturday at 3 p.m., as part of Saint Mary's Homecoming weekend. GET TICKETS.