Even some of the players on the ice and bench that have a straight to business look or game face couldn’t even contain the smiles as the starting lineup was announced, followed by massive roars from the nearly sold out Merlis Belsher Place. It was definitely not the outcome the host wanted, but from start to finish the building remained electric even as the final buzzer rang with the Stingers walking away with a 4-0 victory.
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A nearly sold out crowd cheering as loud as they could while all five starting Huskies had their names introduced before puck drop may have given the host squad some extra jump in their step as they came out flying. Within the first five minutes, Saskatchewan led the way with 3 shots while Concordia was left shot less. A push back came shortly after and even caused a Saskatchewan penalty, but it wouldn’t be needed as Concordia scored with the extra attacker when Emmy Fecteau’s shot deflected up off a stick, and up and over goaltender Camyrn Drever for a 1-0 Stingers lead.
The Dogs would come close moments after when Paris Oleksyn’s rebound was shot off the right goal post by Bronywn Boucher followed by a broken play leading to Iszabella Pozzi walking in all alone only to be shut down by goaltender Jordyn Verbeek. Saskatchewan would get two late power play opportunites that generated good scoring chances, but would come up empty handed going into the second. Saskatchewan led the way in shots 11-7.
Saskatchewan started off the second period with a power play that carried over from the first period that generated a few chances once again with the best chance coming just after the man advantage with a shot wide that bounced back in front of the net catching Verbeek by surprise. After that however, it was all Stingers. Concordia registered 17 shots in the second after only registering 7 in the opening frame. One of those shots found the back of the net thanks to Rosalie Begin-Cyr finishing off a one-timer after beating out an icing just prior to the goal. Concordia continued to apply the pressure and had thought to have scored a few more, but Canada West Goaltender of the Year Camryn Drever came up strong, showing why she was this year’s recipient. The Huskies would take a penalty late in the second period, giving Concordia their first look on the man advantage heading into the final period.
The Huskies were able to kill off the penalty to start off the third period which generated some push back in the first 10 minutes, but the dagger came at the seven minute mark when Emille Lussier found a lose puck in the crease, putting it just under the glove of Camryn Drever to make it 3-0. Lussier would also pot home the empty netter to put the game away, with the Stingers outshooting Saskatchewan 31-26.
It was a very solid effort against the number-one seed of the tournament, and a team that went undefeated in the regular season. With the loss, Saskatchewan now falls into the Consolation bracket and will take on StFx Saturday Morning at 10:00, while Concordia will advance to the semi-final and face Waterloo Saturday at 4:00.
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