LANGLEY, B.C. – A double overtime winning-goal from Trinity Western forward
Kate Klassen (Chilliwack, B.C.) sealed the deal for the Spartans, earning a 2-1 victory over Manitoba on Friday at George Preston Arena.
The Spartans (11-11-3) got goals from
Olivia Leier (Regina, Sask.) at the 10:36 mark of the second period and Klassen, whose goal was scored at the 4:55 stamp of the game's second overtime period. The Bisons () got their lone goal from Kate Gregoire 7:10 into the second period.
In net,
Kate Fawcett (Tottenham, Ont.) stole the show, stopping all but one of Manitoba's shots on goal. The Bisons also got a stellar night out of Kimberley Davidson, who stopped 22 of 24 TWU shots in the loss.
AS IT HAPPENED
The first period bore few chances as Manitoba outshot the Spartans 7-5.
Manitoba earned the first goal of the match 7:10 into the second period, with Gregoire finding her ninth of the season. Leier followed up soon after, tying the match at 1-1 10:36 into the frame. The period ended at 1-1 with each team putting six shots on goal.
The third period saw Manitoba outshoot the Spartans 8-6, but neither team could find the back of the net, pushing the game to overtime.
Each team put three shots on goal in the first period of overtime, but neither team found the evening's golden goal in the frame, sending the match to a three-on-three second period of overtime.
Klassen earned her third marker of the season off a
Jaidia Pisani (Sturgeon County, Alta.) feed to give the Spartans their eleventh victory of the season.
QUOTABLE
Jean Laforest – TWU Head Coach
"Crazy things happen when you have two teams fighting for the same playoff spot. Those were ridiculous overtime situations, and it was going to be a mistake that caused a goal.
Kate Fawcett was outstanding tonight. There was also a play that
Brooklyn Anderson (Shellbrook, Sask.) made tonight, stopping a really good rush, which may have saved a goal.
"There was some good play all around. We struggled a little bit in our zone in the third period – which is unlike us – but I have a long list of people I was happy with tonight."
NOTABLE
- The Spartans are 2-3 all-time against the Bisons. This was TWU's first time hosting Manitoba.
- Pisani's assist on Klassen's game-winner stands as her first of the 2022-23 season.
- Amy Potomak (Aldergrove, B.C.) is third in conference scoring, tallying 21 points in 24 games thus far.
About Spartan Athletics
As official members of U SPORTS, the Spartans currently compete in 13 sports in the Canada West conference, including women's and men's soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, cross country and track & field, as well as women's rugby sevens. TWU also competes as an independent team in men's rugby, as well as women's and men's disc golf. Since TWU entered U SPORTS in 1999, the Spartans have won 13 U SPORTS team championships and 32 Canada West team championships.
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