Alberta hangs on to edge Laurier  

- March 12 2010

Leah Copeland's power play goal 1:11 into the game was all the No. 3 seeded Alberta Pandas needed to hang onto a 1-0 win over the No. 2 Wilfrid Laurier Golden Hawks in opening round robin action at the CIS Women's Ice Hockey Championship at StFX University.

Copeland (Calgary) jumped on a puck in front of the net to beat Golden Hawks netminder Liz Knox (Stouffville, ON) while the Pandas were enjoying an early power play opportunity. Alana Cabana (Edmonton) and Andrea Boras (Calgary) assisted on the play.

The Canada West champion Pandas returned to the CIS national stage after a one year absence. In previous CIS championship action between the Pandas and Golden Hawks, Alberta held a 4-2 edge in wins, although the Golden Hawks earned a 4-2 win in round robin play two years ago at the 2008 CIS championship over the Pandas.

The Golden Hawks, seven-time OUA champions and last year's CIS silver medalists, now need a win over No. 5 seeded StFX, and hope for a StFX win over Alberta for a chance at forcing a tie breaker in pool B and earn a spot in the gold medal game again this year.

The first period of round robin Game 2 was plagued with penalties as Laurier was issued five minor penalties and Alberta three. Although the Pandas' quick pace and crisp passing kept Laurier penalty killers skating, goaltender Knox was able to hold them off from doing any further damage in the first period.

Copeland, Tarin Podloski (St. Albert, AB), and Lindsie Fairfield (Calgary, AB) all had power play shots turned aside by Knox.

Alberta had a good scoring chance as forward Jennifer Jubb (Red Deer, AB) tipped a shot coming off the stick of defender Boras but couldn't find the net.

The Pandas controlled the first period play, finishing with 11 shots on goal to the Golden Hawks 1.

Laurier bounced back in the second period and this time they controlled the shots on net, closing out with a 13-2 shot advantage. Katherine Shirriff (Carrying Place, ON) had a great scoring opportunity in the first few minutes of the second period for the Golden Hawks, nearly tucking the puck in behind Pandas goaltender Dana Vinge (Edmonton, AB).

Laurier winger Kaley Powers (Kingston, ON) broke out on a 2-on-1 during a power-play chance and the Golden Hawks played with the puck in Alberta's end, getting several chances to put one in.

Left winger Kate Psota's slap shot from the point was stopped by Alberta's Vinge and although Laurier dominated during two consecutive man-advantages, Vinge didn't allow one past her.

Laurier closed out the second period with a 2-on-2 attempt as Powers drilled a slap shot from the top of the circle, but was shut down by Vinge.

A slap shot by Alberta's Nicole Pratt (High Prairie, AB) from the point hit Knox straight in the chest, ending the second period with Alberta holding onto the 1-0 lead.

The third period saw each team exchange power play opportunities to no avail. Shots were a mere 5-3 in favour of Alberta, who were more then happy to sit on their one goal lead for the final 20 minutes of play.

The best chance for the Golden Hawks came in the dying minute of play as a Powers tipped shot just missed the net. Vinge and the Pandas held on to the one goal win.

Alberta (1-0) will now enjoy a day off as they wait to play the host StFX X-Women Saturday night at 7:30 pm (AST). Wilfrid Laurier (0-1) will meet StFX Friday at 7:30 pm (AST).

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