X-Women shutout Panthers 4-0 in Game 3

(CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I.) STFX goalie Brooklyn Oakes turned aside all 35 shots she faced in a big 4-0 shutout win over the UPEI Panthers in Game 3 of their best-of-five Bell AUS Women's Hockey Championship semi-final playoff series.

Boston Pizza Player of the Game Claire Carruthers had a four point night with two goals and two helpers, as the X-Women now hold a 2-1 series lead. 

Oakes stopped Renee Chapman on a breakaway to start the game, then remained busy on an early Panther powerplay. STFX opened the scoring late in the period, with Claire Carruthers tipping in a Lainey Joyce point shot with a UPEI player in the box. 

Carruthers added her second goal of the night midway through the middle stanza, capping off a nifty passing play with Ireland McCloskey and Toby Graham. 

Graham lit the lamp three minutes later with a one-time from the slot after a setup from Carruthers.

The parade to the penalty box continued in the third period, and STFX took advantage as Terryn Mozes fired a shot through traffic with 11 minutes remaining.

The rough stuff continued and scrum in front of Oakes saw more players sent to the sin bin shortly thereafter. The Panthers, who finished with a 36-27 shot advantage, couldn't solve the STFX defence and the game wrapped up 4-0. 

The series remains in Charlottetown for Game 4, on Monday, March 2. Game 5, if necessary, is set for Thursday, March 5, at the Charles V Keating Centre in Antigonish.  

Recap courtesy Matt Draper, STFX Athletics