(ANTIGONISH, N.S.) Kamdyn Switzer's goal 25 seconds into the fifth overtime period pushed the STFX X-Women to a hard fought 2-1 win over the St Thomas Tommies late Saturday night at the Charles V Keating Centre.
Switzer's shot from the point ended the fourth longest game in U SPORTS hockey history, and the longest game ever in Atlantic University Sport, clocking in with 130:25 total minutes played across 4 hours and 44 minutes.
The win evens the AUS semifinal series between the two teams at 1-1.
The X-Women held the Tommies without a shot until 11 minutes into the game, but St. Thomas was flying from that point on.
STFX goalie Bianca Zak came up with a big save on a two-on-one with five minutes to go, but Tommies forward Megan Fitzpatrick's second goal of the series, a high one-timer from Aimee O'Neill with two minutes left in the period, gave the visitors a 1-0 lead.
The back-and-forth pace increased in the second period, with the X-Women throwing everything they had at the Tommies to try and get back in the game. St. Thomas netminder Katie Sweeney continued her top tier play from the previous night, shutting down Tea Pearce on the breakaway five minutes into the period, while Bianca Zak had plenty on the go in the STFX net, stopping three shots in short order during a St Thomas powerplay late in the second stanza.
A late powerplay looked promising for the X-Women and it was Landyn Pitts who got the home side on the scoreboard, shooting low after taking a pass from Kandyn Switzer with 44 seconds left before the second intermission.
The third period remained scoreless late, as both teams pressed to take a lead. Zak and Sweeney both stood tall for their teams as the clock wound down and the score remained 1-1 after regulation.
Each team had a powerplay in the first extra period, and there were a few shots off the post in the second overtime, and while STFX pulled ahead in the shot count, triple overtime also solved nothing.
St. Thomas appeared to score three minutes into the fourth overtime, but the officials called a no-goal due to goalie interference, and the game continued until Switzer's marker put an end to things.
Zak, who received Gabriel Pizza Player of the Game and first star honors, finished with 43 saves while Sweeney had 65. Sweeney picked up the third star on the night for her efforts, while Switzer picked up second star for the game winner.
Game 3 will go ahead Tuesday, March 4, at 7 p.m. in Fredericton, with Game 4 set for the following day, March 5, also in Fredericton. Game 5, if necessary, is scheduled for Friday, March 7, at 7 p.m. in Antigonish.
Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics