Hansen backstops Huskies to 1-0 shootout win over Aigles Bleues

HALIFAX, NS - Saint Mary's goaltender Ridleigh Hansen stopped all 27 shots, and defender Abigail MacKenzie scored the shootout winner, leading the Huskies to a 1-0 shootout win over the Moncton Aigles Bleues on Friday night at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

Neither team was able to score in the opening period, as the Aigles Bleues outshot the Huskies 9-6, but Ridleigh Hansen and Annick Boudreau were solid in nets, denying all attempts.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

No score through the opening 20 minutes as the Aigles Bleues outshoot the Huskies 9-6, but both goaltenders stand tall! pic.twitter.com/QUsHTxiS8b

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 7, 2026

The goaltender duel continued through the second, with Moncton outshooting Saint Mary's 10-9, but neither team able to beat the stellar goaltending, and the game remained deadlocked at 0-0 heading into second intermission.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Still scoreless through 40 minutes of play. Aigles Bleues take a 19-15 lead in shots on goal, but Ridleigh Hansen has been solid for the Huskies! pic.twitter.com/aKuC9ydMMu

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 7, 2026

More of the same in the third period and overtime, with the Huskies outshooting Moncton 16-8 through 25 minutes, but regulation solved nothing and the two teams would decide the winner in a shootout.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

65 minutes of regulation + overtime solve nothing, and the Huskies and Aigles Bleues are headed to a shootout! pic.twitter.com/kDCvzS7Dbb

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 7, 2026

The goaliest stopped each team's first three attempts in the shootout, before Huskies forward Charlotte Buffie broke through, with a nasty deke to her backhand to beat Boudreau and put the Huskies ahead, but Moncton forward Maritza Labrie countered with a goal to tie it at 1-1.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Ridleigh Hansen with a big save and Charlotte Buffie scores a nasty deke to give the Huskies the lead in the shootout! pic.twitter.com/SkQ71oJU2s

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 7, 2026

Hansen made another nice save on Moncton sniper Erica Plourde, bringing up Huskies star defender Abigail MacKenzie, who made a sweet deke to the backhand for the go-ahead goal. Then Hansen stopped Labrie again, giving the Huskies a thrilling 1-0 shootout victory.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

HUSKIES WIN!!

Abigail MacKenzie scores the shootout winner and Ridleigh Hansen stands tall, stopping 27 shots plus five in the shootout for a huge shutout win as SMU win their fourth straight game, 1-0 over Moncton! pic.twitter.com/MhVVRduT5V

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 7, 2026

Rideligh Hansen was named Player of the Game for the Huskies, stopping 27 shots, plus four in the shootout. Aigles Bleues goaltender Annick Boudreau turned away 30 shots, plus three in the shootout.

The Huskies fourth straight win improves their record to 13-9-0-3 on the season, good for fourth place in the AUS standings. Saint Mary's will have a chance to clinch a playoff spot on home ice on Saturday, hosting the UPEI Panthers (13-9-2-0) at 3 p.m. at the Dauphinee Centre. It's also Huskies senior night as we honour six graduating seniors - Kara MacLean, Abby McCarthy, Jillian Duggan, Keyara Nelson, Sophie Scully and team captain Ashley Penney - ahead of their final regular season home game of their SMU career. GET TICKETS

Moncton's sixth straight loss drops their record to 10-10-2-3. The Aigles Bleues remain in Halifax on Saturday, visiting the Dalhousie Tigers (8-11-3-2) at 7 p.m. at the Halifax Forum.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics