Miranda’s Hatt-Trick propels Huskies to 6-0 win over Panthers

HALIFAX, NS—Saint Mary's forward Miranda Hatt scored three goals- her second 'Hatt-Trick' of the season - as the Huskies defeated the UPEI Panthers 6-0 on Saturday night at the Dauphinee Centre. 

The Panthers got off to a good start early, recording the first five shots on goal, but that would change when forward Hayden Lilly (Hammonds Plains, NS) was sent to the penalty box for hooking. The Huskies made the Panthers pay on the ensuing powerplay, as defenders Caleigh Meraw (Red Deer, AB) and Maddy Corbett (Sydney, NS) cycled the puck at the point and found forward Miranda Hatt (Regina, SK) who fired a high shot past Panthers goaltender Sarah Forsythe (Riverview, NB) to give the Huskies an early 1-0 lead, 4:26 into the first period. 

About ten minutes later, the Panthers got a turn on the powerplay, but the Huskies were able to kill off the advantage, thanks in part to some stellar goaltending from Sophie Scully (Ottawa, ON), including a nice save on UPEI defender Anjali Simms (Delta, BC).   

The Panthers had a glorious opportunity to equalize several minutes later, as a shot by Simms resulted in Scully ending up out of position behind her own net, but Panthers forward Kaiya Maracle (Toronto, ON) was unable to stuff the puck into goal. The Huskies nearly doubled their lead moments later, but forward Jillian Duggan (Halifax, NS) fired a shot off the crossbar. 

The Huskies outshot the Panthers 13-7 through the opening 20 minutes, and took a 1-0 lead into intermission.  

Early in the second period, Huskies forwards Ashley Penney (Lawrencetown, NS) and Avery Cant (Waterloo, ON) broke out on a two-on-one, but Cant's shot was turned away by Forsythe. Not to be outdone, Sophie Scully stopped Panthers forward Chiara Esposito (Winnipeg, MB) on a partial breakaway moments later. 

The Huskies continued to pressure for a second goal, and Duggan had a breakaway chance stopped by Forsythe midway through the second period. 

After several good scoring opportunities denied by Forsythe, the flood gates opened for the Huskies as they scored two goals in 27 seconds. First it was Hatt, who won the faceoff in the Panthers zone, and was able to pounce on the rebound of a point shot from Madelyn McCleary (Swift Current, SK) for her second goal of the night. 

Just 27 seconds later, Huskies forward Mackenzie Beggs picked up a puck in her own zone and skated down the right wing, cutting in and firing a forehand shot that trickled past Forsythe to give the home team a 3-0 lead. 

The Huskies nearly scored a fourth goal before the second period was over as forward Erin Denny (Eskasoni, NS) fired a wicked shot from the slot, but Forsythe made a great pad save to shut the door. Despite the 3-0 score, Forsythe was excellent in the second period, as she made another good save in the final minute, off a strange bounce that saw the puck ricochet off the backboards and off a Panthers defender towards goal, but Forsythe turned it away. 

The Huskies outshot the Panthers 16-7 in the second period, and took a 3-0 lead into the second intermission. 

Midway through the third period, the Panthers went on the powerplay, and had several chances but Scully stood tall with several saves, most notably a great stop on forward Ashley McCutcheon (Kitchener, ON), and was helped out by Huskies defender Georgia Steenbakkers (Stittsville, ON) making an outstanding defensive play to clear a dangerous rebound. 

The excellent goaltending continues for both teams in the third period, as Forsythe made another good save on Huskies forward Aimee O'Neill (Glace Bay, NS). Then it was Scully's turn, as she denied another Panthers breakaway, this time from Hayden Lilly. 

But the Huskies wouldn't be denied much longer, as their offence exploded for three goals in the final six minutes. Miranda Hatt scored her third of the night for her second 'Hatt-Trick' of the season, as she came in on a two-on-one with Gillian Lapierre and stuffed home her own rebound to extend the lead to 4-0 with 5:48 remaining. 

The Huskies would score again just 24 seconds later, as a shot from Kate Gallant (Brooklin, ON) resulted in a scramble in front of goal, where defender Abigail MacKenzie (Stellarton, NS) fired the puck past Forsythe to put the home team up 5-0. 

MacKenzie would strike again four minutes later as she scored a powerplay goal, her second of the night, to extend the lead to 6-0 which would be the final score. 

Huskies forward Miranda Hatt was named Player of the Game with three goals, while Gillian Lapierre (three assists), Abigail MacKenzie (two goals), Mackenzie Beggs (one goal, one assists) and Ashley Penney (two assists) also recorded multi-point nights.  

The Huskies doubled up the Panthers in shot attempts, outshooting them 40-20. Sophie Scully made 20 saves for the shutout, while Sarah Forsythe turned away 34 shots in defeat. 

The Huskies win improves their record to 6-5-0-1 on the season. The Huskies will be back in action on Wednesday night, as they visit the Dalhousie Tigers (6-7-0-0) at the Halifax Forum, with puck-drop scheduled for 7 p.m. 

The Panthers loss drops their record to 4-10-0-0 on the season. They'll be back on the road next weekend, as they visit Mount Allison (0-9-2-1) on Friday and UNB (11-2-0-0) on Saturday, with both games scheduled for 7 p.m.

RECAP BY: Allan April, SMU Huskies Athletics / PHOTOS BY: Eduardo Ibarra