(ANTIGONISH, NS) The UNB REDS lead the Atlantic University Sport championship best-of-three series 1-0 over the STFX X-Women following a tight 2-0 win at the Charles V Keating Centre Sunday night in front of almost 1000 fans.
"I thought we had an incredible team game, from the back end to the front end, winning our battles, bearing down on pucks, and pushing through adversity," said UNB's Lindsey Smith. "Our energy was high from start to finish, and we're super excited to bring the same intensity on Tuesday."
Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC) turned aside all 33 shots she faced to earn the shutout for UNB and was named Player of the Game.
STFX held the advantage in scoring chances early on, including a great individual effort by Vivian Hinch (Vancouver, BC), but UNB's defense was up to the task.
The REDS opened the scoring on the power play, with Melanie Drost (Nepean, ON) tipping home a point shot from Lindsey Smith (Onslow, NS) with a minute to go in the opening frame.
"I think we played a very good team game and everyone was going," said Drost. "Everyone was bringing the energy which is what we needed. Our power play was burying our chances which is what we need to do against a team like STFX."
Shots at the end of the period were even at 11-11 as the REDS took the one-goal lead into the locker room after 20 minutes.
The back-and-forth action continued in the second period, with STFX trying to get on the board and UNB looking to extend their lead.
The visitors made it a two-goal game with three minutes to go in the period, with captain Payton Hargreaves (Whitby, ON) putting home a shot from the top of the crease. Jorja Nystrom (Leduc, AB), and Lillian George (Nipissing First Nation) assisted on the REDS' second power play marker of the evening.
UNB led in shots at the end of the second, 23-19.
The REDS continued to apply pressure on STFX in the third period, while the X-Women tried to get back into the game, firing shots at Woodland, who held her ground.
STFX pulled their goalie, Amaya Giraudier (Assiniboia, SK), in the final two minutes while on the power play but couldn't beat Woodland.
"We are happy with our effort and how we executed our game plan," said UNB interim head coach, Kyle MacDonald. "We received significant contributions from all four lines, power play, penalty kill, and in goal."
The series now shifts to Fredericton for Game Two on Tuesday, March 5, at UNB's Aitken Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
RECAP BY: Matt Draper/ for STFX Athletics
PHOTO BY: Bryan Kennedy/ for STFX Athletics