Julia Flinton’s first-ever goal in her university hockey career will go down in history.
Her overtime winner from just inside the blue line against the University of Alberta Pandas marked the first time ever that the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s hockey team swept Alberta in a weekend series at home.
“I’ve never scored an overtime goal like that and for it to be in my university career, in this rink where they have never swept Alberta before, is an amazing feeling and I’m just on top of the world right now,” said Flinton after the goal.
In the weekend’s first game on Oct. 28, not even overtime could solve a 1-1 deadlock between the squads. It went to a shootout in which Saskatchewan goaltender Mackenzie Rizos was perfect, stopping all Alberta breakaway attempts.
Breanne George would bury her opportunity to give the Huskies a 2-1 victory.
Rizos stopped 32 shots for the Dogs while Panda goalie Michala Jeffries stopped 27.
The first night’s intensity continued into the second game on Oct. 29, which also saw the teams tied at 1-1 after three periods of play.
The only difference was that the second match didn’t need a shootout, as Flinton blasted a point shot past Panda goalie Kaitlyn Chapman to give the Huskies another 2-1 win.
“It’s a great feeling to know that the coaches trust me that much to have me out there in that situation. It means a lot — especially since I’m a rookie,” said Flinton. “Alberta is a really strong team. They push you to your limits.”
Saskatchewan goaltender Vanessa Frederick made 32 saves in the game while Chapman stopped 22.
Both Rizos and Frederick saw action in net for the Huskies this weekend. Head coach Steve Kook said it is a system they have been utilizing all season.
“I’m pretty sure we are going to have to make a decision at some point [about who will be the starting goaltender], but when you have two goalies both playing at a 95 [save] per cent average, you’re lucky.”
[box type=”info”]The Huskies women’s hockey team will be in Manitoba on Nov. 4 and 5 to face the Bisons. The men’s team will host Manitoba at home.[/box]—
Photo: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf