(HALIFAX, N.S.) - The Saint Mary's Huskies (13-4-1) overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period to defeat the UPEI Panthers (8-10-1) 5-4 in overtime Saturday at Alumni Arena. The win snapped the Huskies' two-game losing streak, their longest of the season.
Defenceman Rebecca Mosher one-timed a feed from Breanna Lanceleve past Marie-Soleil Deschenes three minutes into overtime to give the victory to the Huskies who trailed 4-2 after an early third period goal by the Panthers. Mosher earned a three-point game as she picked up an additional two assists.
Caitlyn Manning scored twice while Lanceleve and Nicole Blanche each had a goal for Saint Mary's. Manning has played well since joining new linemates Lanceleve and Laura Polak at the start of the season's second half, scoring five goals in six games. Lanceleve's goal tied the game and marked her 13th on the season, good enough for first place in the AUS.
Panthers defenceman and German Olympic team member Anja Weisser tallied two goals, and Margaret Grimmer and Christina Kelly both added a goal and an assist each to round out the UPEI scoring. The Panthers' power-play was firing on Saturday, as three of their four goals came with the man-advantage.
Weisser opened the third period scoring with a much-needed insurance goal at 1:37 while on the power-play. She slapped home her sixth of the season after a loose puck sprang toward her at the side of the net. Saint Mary's was resilient, cutting UPEI's lead in half with 13:31 to go in the third. It was Manning who scored her second of the game when she backhanded the rebound of Mosher's point shot past Deschenes.
Deschenes made two slick saves as the Polak line continued pressing, stopping Lanceleve and Manning on quick consecutive shots. The line was all over the Panthers, however, and with five minutes remaining, Lanceleve tied the game when she planted herself in front of Deschenes and redirected Chelsea Osbaldeston's point shot.
At 03:11 of overtime, Lanceleve and Manning teamed up down low in the Panthers' zone and when Lanceleve broke loose from defenders she spotted Mosher sneaking from her point position, creating an easy backdoor tap-in.
Deschenes made 35 stops for the Panthers while Sienna Cooke turned away 14 of UPEI's 18 shots.
Saint Mary's will host the St. Thomas Tommies next Saturday at 3 p.m. while UPEI will play at home on Wednesday against Mount Allison at 7 p.m.
Source: Brian Mosher for Saint Mary's Sports Information