LETHBRIDGE — The Saskatchewan Huskies forced the distance in their first game of the season against the Lethbridge Pronghorns, taking down the home side in the shootout with a final score of 2 – 1.
Fans did not leave the Nicholas Sheran Arena happy after having a strong performance from the Pronghorns taken away by an disputed Huskies goal 10-seconds left in regulation, which ultimately led to the home side's loss.
In the loss, Lethbridge started their Huskie-turned-Pronghorn Chloe Marshall for the game, who made a season-high 51 saves against her former team. Saskatchewan's Camryn Drever was spotless in the shootout after making 24 saves to secure her side the win.
Saskatchewan's Sophie Lalor scored the only goal of the shootout to lift her team to their first shootout victory of the season.
Lethbridge's only goal came exactly a minute in, as Kyra Grieg received a nice pass from Ally Borrow, and put it past Drever for the home side's first tally.
The Huskies gained the momentum back thanks to some close chances on Marshall, including a shot that trickled behind her to sit on the goal line before her defenders shoved the puck underneath her.
Both teams remained in a deadlock for the rest of the first. However, with the Pronghorns holding most of the momentum for the remainder, they would head to the dressing room with their one goal lead intact.
The second period featured no goals, as both teams tightened up in their defensive ends, including a key penalty-killing shot block by Mikaela Reay preventing the visiting side from tying the game.
Both goaltenders made some key saves to keep their teams in the game, though Saskatchewan mounted significant pressure in the Pronghorns zone.
While the 'Horns backstop saw a tally equal to period one's 14 shots, Saskatchewan's Drever only had to make four saves in the second period to keep her team in the hunt for a win.
Saskatchewan's chances only increased in the third period, finding 12 shots on target in the first half of the frame.
Late in the final frame, after surviving a late penalty kill, the Huskies cleared the puck to a breaking Kate Ball, starting a Huskies offensive that coincided with the pulling of Drever with a minute left.
With 10-seconds remaining, a strong press in front of Marshall somehow pushed the puck behind her and over the goal line. After gathering with his officials to confirm the call, Referee Will Wood signaled a good goal, and the game was tied.
The first overtime period saw play much more evenly distributed in both ends of the ice. Four-on-four action saw no more scoring, with both teams strong on the defensive end.
More space on the ice for three-on-three meant more chances going at either end, but just as with the first round of bonus hockey, the second overtime period would end with no change in scoring.
Fans thought Madison Porter had scored on the Pronghorns first shootout attempt, but the goal was disallowed after hitting the post and resting under Drever. Lalor scored for the Huskies on their first chance.
Lethbridge's Kianna Dietz and Saskatchewan's Ball were unsuccessful in the second round, and Drever turned aside Grieg's attempt in round three to secure the win for the Huskies.
In the win, Saskatchewan's record improves to 2-1-1-1 on the season. With the shootout loss, Lethbridge now sits atop the Canada West Conference with a record of 3-1-0-1.
Both teams will be back at the Nicholas Sheran Arena on Saturday to finish off their two-game series. Puck drop is at 7 PM
