Sweeney backstops Tommies to 2-1 shootout win over Huskies

HALIFAX, NS – St. Thomas goaltender Katie Sweeney stopped 54 shots plus three shootout saves, as the Tommies defeated the Huskies 2-1 in a shootout in Atlantic University Sport women's hockey action on Sunday afternoon at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax, N.S.

The Huskies opened the scoring midway through the first period, as forward Mackenzie Beggs (Kemptville, ON) attempted to centre the puck and it banked off of Tommies goaltender Katie Sweeney (Tecumseh, ON) and into goal, giving the Huskies a 1-0 lead, 11:32 into play.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Mackenzie Beggs able to stuff it in to give the Huskies a 1-0 lead in the first period!

��M. Beggs (1)
��A. McCarthy pic.twitter.com/Z3uBLrBdtb

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 26, 2025

The Huskies outshot the Tommies 19-4 through the opening 20 minutes, but Sweeney was outstanding, keeping the Tommies within a goal as Saint Mary's took a 1-0 lead into intermission.

The second period saw the Tommies equalize, with forward Tahlia Mallaley (Charlo, NB) picking up a loose puck in the Huskies end and firing a shot through Ridleigh Hansen's five-hole, tying the game at 1-1, 10:33 into the second period.

Once again, the Huskies heavily outshot the Tommies, 18-5, but the two teams went into second intermission deadlocked 1-1.

The third period saw both team push for a go-ahead goal, but both netminders were outstanding. Huskies goaltender Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) made a series of nice saves.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Ridleigh Hansen makes a couple nice saves to keep the game tied 1-1 late in the third period! pic.twitter.com/zBwKg0ZMKa

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 26, 2025

But the story of the game remained Katie Sweeney, as she continued to stand on her head, including a stunning glove save on Huskies forward Jillian Duggan (Halifax, NS).

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Katie Sweeney absolutely robs Jillian Duggan with a point blank glove save, sending the game into overtime. pic.twitter.com/n6J21CwLxf

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 26, 2025

Despite a 52-17 shot advantage through 60 minutes, Sweeney's heroics kept the score tied 1-1 at the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime.

The Huskies took a penalty in the three-on-three overtime, but the Tommies weren't able to capitalize, as the game went into a shootout.

Katie Sweeney continued her incredible play, stopping three straight Huskies – forwards Kara MacLean (Antigonish, NS), Renee Olsen (Yarmouth, NS) and Gillian Lapierre (Port Coquitlam, BC) – on their attempts.

Ridleigh Hansen turned away Tommies forward Lauren Smith (Truro, NS) on the first attempt, but Megan Kirkpatrick (Strathmore, AB) was able to beat Hansen with a low shot, securing the Tommies 2-1 shootout win.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Katie Sweeney turns away all three Huskies attempts and Megan Kirkpatrick scores the shootout winner as the Tommies defeat the Huskies 2-1. pic.twitter.com/fk0diLOpQ2

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) October 26, 2025

Between regulation, overtime and the shootout, Sweeney turned away a ridiculous 56 shots for the win and Player of the Game honours, while Ridleigh Hansen made 21 saves in defeat.

The Tommies win improves their record to 4-3-0-1 on the season. St. Thomas will be back on home ice next weekend, hosting the Mount Allison Mounties (0-8-0-0) on Friday, Oct. 31, and STFX X-Women (5-2-0-0) on Saturday, Nov. 1.

The Huskies loss drops their record to 3-3-0-1 on the campaign. The Huskies will be on the road next weekend, visiting the UPEI Panthers (5-2-1-0) on Saturday, Nov. 1, and the Moncton Aigles Bleues (4-2-1-0) on Sunday, Nov. 2.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Eduardo Ibarra / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics