Huskies fall to the Mounties 1-0 in overtime

HALIFAX, NS - The Saint Mary's Huskies lost to the Mount Allison Mounties 1-0 on Saturday afternoon at the Dauphinee Centre.

Saturday's game was part of the Huskies Red Tape Hockey Doubleheader, aiming to combat racism in hockey. The Red Tape Initiative began with local Indigenous youth Logan Prosper of Whycocomagh First Nation, who faced racist taunts at a Midget A hockey game in 2019, and started the Red Tape Initiative with his father Phillip to create awareness of racism in hockey.

As part of Saint Mary's Indigenous Sport Week, the Huskies wore jersey patches provided in partnership with the Orange Jersey Project, helmet stickers with the logo of the 2023 North American Indigenous Games, and of course the Red Tape on their sticks to show their support for the cause.

At just over 30 seconds into the first period, Mounties forward Rachael Carson (Burlington, ON) picked off a pass and fired off a shot from the slot, but Huskies goaltender Sophie Scully (Ottawa, ON) was there to stop it.

Huskies forward Ellen Laurence (Kentville, NS) responded to the Mounties pressure with a chance at a wide-open net however, her shot ricocheted off the crossbar.

As the first period progressed, both teams found themselves with great opportunities to take the lead, however, goaltenders Scully and Bianca Zak (Stonewall, MB) kept their teams in it by coming up with some big saves.

At 12:35 in the first period, the Huskies had what would have been their first goal called back due to a high stick, keeping the game tied.

HUSKIES (almost) HIGHLIGHTS ��

This would be goal by Shae Demale was waved off by the refs.
What do you think? �� pic.twitter.com/nox6kuujwn

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 26, 2022

As the first period wound down, Kate Gallant (Brooklin, ON) received a cross-net pass from down in the corner from Miranda Hatt (Regina, SK) for an excellent opportunity to put the Huskies on the board, but Bianca Zak was there coming up with a big glove save to keep the score tied.

The Huskies outshot the Mounties 15-8 in the first period and went into the first intermission tied 0-0

Starting the period off strong at 40 seconds into the second period was Huskies Ellen Laurence with a wicked shot that just went wide, hitting the post.

At just over six minutes in the second period, the Huskies went on their first powerplay of the game. The Mounties penalty kill came up big, with Katie Bouwman (Oakville, ON) and Noelle Mason (Edmonton, AB) making key blocks keeping the game tied.

As the period progressed, it saw both teams trade great opportunities for the chance to take the lead. Scully made a big save on Makenna Percival (Victoria, BC,) who was all alone in front of the net. At the other end, Bianca Zak came up with a big glove save on Kara MacLean (Antigonish, NS) and fought off multiple scrambles in front of the net.

The Huskies outshot the Mounties 33-11 at the end of the second period as they headed into the second intermission.

With just under 12 minutes in the third, the Huskies were able to successfully kill off a 5-on-3 penalty kill. The Huskies had short-handed chances from Kara MacLean, Eve LeBlanc (Petit-Rocher, NB), and Erin Denny (Eskasoni, NS).

With under 9 minutes to go in the third period, still tied 0-0, the Huskies powerplay came up short, however, not for lack of chances, with Zak making incredible back-to-back saves.

Keeping up the pressure, Huskies forward Mary MacDonald (Calgary, AB) and Gallant came down on a 2-on-1, but were again stopped by Zak, sending the game into a 3-on-3 overtime period. 

The Huskies outshot the Mounties 58-11 at the end of the third period. The Mounties defence had come up big throughout the game with 20 blocked shots.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Great saves on both ends as Mounties goaltender Bianca Zak stops Kara MacLean, and Huskies goaltender Sophie Scully stops Rory Aiken on a breakaway in overtime! pic.twitter.com/lfltsvb041

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 26, 2022

Midway through the overtime period, a Huskies line change allowed the Mounties on a 3-on-0 breakaway. Sophie Scully turned away the initial shot, but on the ensuing rebound, Mounties defenceman Island Bernard-Docker (Canmore, AB) made no mistake in netting a pass from Rachael Carson to earn her first goal of the season and the win for the Mounties.

Mounties goaltender Bianca Zak was named Subway Player of the Game, stopping 64 shots for the visitors, while Huskies goaltender Sophie Scully made 13 saves in the loss.

The Huskies loss drops their record to 9-6-0. They'll be back on the ice visiting Saint Francis Xavier X-Women on Tuesday, November 29, at 7 p.m. in Antigonish, N.S.

The Mounties win improves their record to 2-14-0 on the season. They'll be back on the ice after a brief break in the season, visiting the UPEI Panthers Friday, January 6, at 7 p.m.

Recap by Alyson Duffy / SMU Huskies Athletics