X-Women blank Panthers 2-0

ANTIGONISH, NS—The STFX X-Women snapped a four-game losing streak with a hard fought 2-0 win over the visiting UPEI Panthers in AUS women's hockey action at the Charles V Keating Centre Friday night.

STFX forward and Gabriel Pizza Player of the game Tea Pearce (Calgary, AB) opened the scoring midway through the first period, getting the last stick to the puck off a scramble in front of the Panther's net. Third star of the game Kamdyn Switzer (Stittsville, ON) had the assist.

It was a fast paced, tight checking period, with STFX holding a slight advantage in shots, 10-6.

UPEI looked to turn a power play into a goal early in the second period, but the X-Women penalty killers held onto the lead. The fast pace continued in the second stanza, with the STFX shot count continuing to climb, but strong play by UPEI goalie and second star on the night Sarah Forsythe (Riverview, NB) kept it close.

Shots at the end of the second period were 25-13 in favor of the home side.

The X-Women tried to add to their lead early in the final period, but UPEI's penalty kill was also up to the mark, and the visitors managed escaped the danger without allowing another goal.

A few minutes later, UPEI forward Paige Outhouse (William's Lake, BC) broke in alone on the STFX goal while on the penalty kill but Bianca Zak (Stonewall, MB) stood tall for the X-Women.

UPEI pulled their goalie with about a minute left in the game, and the Panthers peppered Zak with shots, but STFX forward Landyn Pitts (Antigonish, NS) capped off the game with an empty net goal with three seconds left.

Zak made 19 saves while picking up the shutout win, while Forsythe had 33 stops in the loss.

The Panthers return to action on Saturday, October 26, when they visit the Saint Mary's Huskies in Halifax. The X-Women continue their homestand on October 26, when they host the St. Thomas Tommies. Both games begin at 7 p.m.

RECAP BY: Matt Draper, STFX Athletics / PHOTOS BY: Bryan Kennedy