St. FX overpowers Panthers 7-0

ANTIGONISH, NS—A five-goal second period powered the U SPORTS No. 7 ranked STFX X-Women' to a 7-0 shutout victory over the UPEI Panthers at the Keating Centre Sunday afternoon.  

STFX's Lauren Dabrowski (Tiny, ON) opened the scoring early, with a shot from the slot hitting the top corner just over two minutes into the game. X-Women captain Josie Chisholm (Antigonish, NS) assisted.  

The X-Women held a commanding lead in shots at the end of the period, (17-4) making for a busy 20 minutes for Panthers goalie Shaylin McFarlane (Miramichi, NB), who made had a big save from close midway through the stanza to keep the X lead at one goal.  

There were several penalties in the second period, and X was able to capitalize on a 4-3 situation, with Chloe Vukosa (Mississauga, ON) knocking one home.   

Just a few minutes later, Ellie Brown (Kemptville, ON) extended the lead to 3-0 with a low shot after picking up the puck from Kamdyn Switzer (Stittsville, ON).   

Maggy Burbidge (Falmouth, ON) found the top shelf with a bar-down shot just over six minutes left to play in the middle period, and 16 seconds later, Switzer tallied to put the X-Women up 5-0 and prompt the Panthers with a goaltender change as Sarah Forsythe (Riverview, NB) came in.   

With just over four minutes left before the intermission, Switzer added a shorthanded marker for her second goal of the game, with Chisholm adding another assist. Shots at the end of the second were 31-11 in favour of the X-Women.   

The third period remained scoreless until the 4:37, mark, with Burbidge tucking in a backhand as she scored her second of the afternoon and AUS-leading seventh of the season.  

Chisholm finished with four helpers for STFX.  

Switzer earned first star and Subway player of the game honours, with Vukosa and Brown named the second and third stars respectively.   

Amaya Giraudier (Assiniboia, SK) had 16 saves in the win between the pipes for STFX, with McFarlane and Forsythe making a combined 37 saves for the Panthers.   

With the victory, the X-Women are now on a two-game win streak and have four wins on the season. They take to the ice next on the road to face the UNB Reds on October 29 in Fredericton.  

The Panthers drop to 4-2-0 and will host Saint Mary's on October 28.

RECAP BY: Matt Draper, STFX Athletics Information / PHOTOS BY: Mya Slawter