Panthers Outlast X-Women in Double Overtime to Take Game 1

(ANTIGONISH, N.S.) Renee Chapman's second goal of the night four minutes into double overtime gave the UPEI Panthers a 2-1 win in Game 1 of their Bell AUS semifinal series with the STFX X-Women on Thursday night at the Keating Centre.  

Chapman, who earned Boston Pizza Player of the Game honors for her work, pounced on a Orianna MacNeil rebound for the score to give her side the 1-0 series advantage.  

It was fast and physical playoff hockey with both teams looking to set the tone for the series.   

The high paced back and forth opening period saw the visitors put pressure on the X-Women, with the Panthers looking fresh after a two-game sweep of the Saint Mary's Huskies in the AUS quarterfinals. Despite a UPEI shot advantage, the home side stayed in the game and things remained scoreless heading into the intermission.      

STFX goaltender Brooklyn Oakes made a brilliant pad save on Kierra St. Peter to keep things even in the early minutes of the second period. X-Women forward Kalle Hastman opened the scoring three minutes later, roofing one after finding space in the slot with Kya Moss and Bree MacPherson assisting.   

The Panthers struck back midway through the second period, with Chapman knocking in a centering pass by Hayden Lilly from behind the STFX net. The Panthers increased their shot advantage, thanks in part to a pair of power plays, But Oakes continued to make big stops, including another on a breakaway late in the period, keeping the score 1-1.  

The X-Women flew out of the gate to start the third, forcing a number of big stops from Erin Cabaday. Oakes came up with another nice save with nine minutes left and despite some solid chances for STFX, the period remained scoreless, forcing overtime.  

The first period saw plenty of chances but no score, leading to Chapman's game winner in the second OT.  

Final shots in the game favored the X-Women at 39-33. 

Game 2 goes Friday, February 27, at the Charles V Keating Centre at 7 p.m.  

Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics