In the battle for second place in the Canada West Division, the Huskies women’s hockey team defeated the University of Alberta Pandas. The Huskies are now in possession of the number two spot after the teams met on Jan. 10 and 11 at Rutherford Rink while the Pandas slipped to third. The Dogs are now 12-4-4 on the season.

The Pandas held off a late-game Huskie push to sneak out the first game of the series 3-2 in overtime on Friday night.

The home team got on the board first after captain Cami Wooster scored at 3:41 in the first period during a power play. Wooster shook off Pandas defenders before blasting a shot over the glove of goalie Michala Jeffries.

The Pandas tied the game later the same period during a power play of their own when Jayden Skoye pushed the puck past Huskie goalie Cassidy Hendricks during a scramble in front of the net.

The visiting team stole the lead at 6:52 in the second period when Hannah Mousek netted her own rebound to put her team ahead 2-1. Wooster scored her second goal of the night during a 5-on-3 advantage in the final minutes of the third period to send the game into overtime.

Just shy of the four minute mark, Jocelyn Zabrick scored what proved to be the winning goal for the Pandas. Zabrick shook off a Huskies defender to get alone in front of the net and slotted her shot into the top of the net to secure the win.

Hendricks made 19 saves while Jeffries made 23 at the other end of the ice.

The Huskies prevailed 2-1 on Saturday night thanks to solid goaltending from Karen Lefsrud. The first-year turned away 27 shots to help the Dogs to the win.

The home team jumped out to the lead after Carlee Hrenkiw’s shot found the back of the net during the first period. Sarah Greschner’s goal at 12:25 in the second period gave the Huskies a 2-0 advantage.

The Pandas got on the board during the second period after Katie Stewart sent the puck through Lefsrud’s five-hole to cut the Huskies’ lead to 2-1.

With time running down, the Pandas emptied their net to put another attacker on the ice. The visiting team fought for the equalizer but the Huskies’ defence was up to the task and Lefsrud denied every attempt to seal the win.

The Huskies secured second place thanks to the weekend’s results but will have to continue their strong play if they don’t want to see their ranking fall. The Dogs are only one point ahead of the Pandas and the University of Manitoba Bisons, while they are trailing the top ranked University of British Columbia Thunderbirds by five.

The Huskies host the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns on Jan. 17 and 18.