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| The Pandas celebrate Natasha Steblin's OT winner. |
The University of Alberta Pandas women’s hockey team proved
they win the ugly one.
Had the host University of Saskatchewan Huskies claimed
victory, they would have held that same distinction.
On Saturday night at the ancient Rutherford Rink, the Pandas
slipped past the Huskies 2-1 in double overtime in a match that resembled what
a New Jersey Devils game looked like back in their Stanley Cup winning years.
From the second period onwards, the contest was defined by a whole tonne of
clutching and grabbing, and the officials could have called more penalties than
13 total infractions that were issued out.
Actually, the officials seemed to be trapped in not knowing
what calls they should let go and what infractions they should call, which
helped to further drag the flow of play down.
When the dust settled in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport
regular season clash, one of the biggest differences that created the final
outcome was the fact the Pandas went 2-for-6 on the power play, while the
Huskies went 0-for-7 with the one-player advantage.
The Pandas struck first in Saturday’s clash with 2:03 to
play in the opening frame. While working the power play, fifth-year forward
Lindsey Cunningham collected the rebound from a Natasha Steblin shot at the
side of the U of S goal and potted her third of the season to put U of A up
1-0.
As the contest progressed, it appeared Cunningham’s tally
would hold up to give the Pandas victory. Both teams had trouble working their
way up and down the ice, which helped cut down on the scoring opportunities for
both sides.
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| Julia Flinton had a huge goal for the Huskies. |
When scoring chances did come, Lindsey Post stood tall in
the Pandas net, while Cassidy Hendricks ensured the Huskies remained within a
goal.
Just when the contest appeared to be stuck in a quagmire,
Huskies offensive defender Julia Flinton netted the equalizer with four seconds
to play in the third period on a beautiful solo rush. The Williams Lake, B.C.,
product picked up speed in the centre ice zone, blew by the Pandas defenders
and slipped home a backhand shot past Post to even the score at 1-1.
Near the end of the first four-on-four overtime period, the
Huskies had huge chance to pull out the win, when they went on the power play
after Pandas forward Deanna Morin was given a minor for checking to the head.
The Huskies had three solid chance to win the game on that power-play chance
including a point shot that deflected high into the air and almost lobbed into
the U of A net. The puck ended up just settling on top of the goal.
During a second overtime period played under a
three-on-three format, the Pandas went to the power play after Huskies centre
Lauren Zary was given a slashing minor.
The visitors capitalized on that chance, when Steblin fired
home the winner from the slot passed a screened Hendricks to give the Pandas a
2-1 victory.
Hendricks made 18 stops taking the overtime setback in goal
for the Huskies. Post made 24 saves to earn the win in goal for the Pandas.
The Huskies record moved to 13-9-4, and they were able to
clinch a berth in the Canada West playoffs with the point they earned from the
overtime setback. With two regular season games to play, the Huskies sit fourth
overall in Canada West two points up on the University of Manitoba Bisons.
The Pandas improve to 14-9-3 to sit third in Canada West
with a four-point cushion on the Huskies thanks mainly to having 13-10
advantage in regulations wins.
The Huskies close the regular season with a home-and-home
series with the U of Regina Cougars (16-9-1). The two teams play this coming
Friday in Regina at the Co-operators Centre and this coming Saturday at 7 p.m.
at the Rutherford Rink.
Golden Bears pull out brooms in Edmonton
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| Sean Aschim had a goal for the Huskies in Edmonton on Saturday. |
The University of Alberta Golden Bears served notice that
they are still a force to be reckoned with in Canada West men’s hockey.
On Saturday in Edmonton, the Golden Bears completed a
two-game series sweep of the Canada West leading U of Saskatchewan Huskies posting
a 5-2 victory before 1,653 spectators at the Clare Drake Arena. The sweep at
the hands of U of A marks the first time the Huskies have dropped two straight
game all season. The Golden Bears took Friday’s clash in Edmonton between the
two club’s 3-0.
In Saturday’s encounter, Levko Koper, Jordan Rowley and
Thomas Carr netted singles to stake the hosts out to a 3-0 lead.
Jesse Ross and Sean Aschim responded with singles for the
Huskies to cut the Golden Bear’s lead to 3-2 heading into the second
intermission.
In the third period, Stephane Legault and Jamie Crooks
potted singles to seal victory for the Golden Bears.
Jordon Cooke made 32 saves to take the loss in goal for the Huskies.
Luke Siemens turned away 17 shots to pick up the win in the Golden Bears net.
The Huskies, who are rated first in the CIS top ten rankings,
fell to 21-5, but they have already locked up first overall in Canada West. The
Golden Bears, who are rated seventh in the CIS top ten rankings, improve to 17-7-2
to sit third in Canada West just one point behind the Mount Royal University
Cougars (17-6-3).
U of S closes its regular season with a home-and-home series
against the University of Regina Cougars (6-20). The two clubs play this coming
Friday at 7 p.m. at the Rutherford Rink and on Saturday in Regina at the
Co-operators Centre.
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