Tanner Michalenko, Saskatchewan Sports Information Student Assistant
SASKATOON – University of Alberta forward Kennedy Ganser played hero in a 2-1 Pandas shootout win over the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Friday night in Rutherford Rink.
Ganser not only scored the shootout winner in the nine round on her second attempt, but scored the game-tying goal for the Pandas at 11:11 in the third.
The win is Alberta's eighth straight, trimming Saskatchewan's chances at a bye in the quarter-final round of playoffs. The Pandas improve to 18-4-3, while the Huskies fall to 16-7-2.
Ganser's second shootout attempt zipped by the right shoulder of Huskie netminder Jessica Vance for the win. Ganser banged home a Vance rebound after a scramble in front of the net on the game-tying goal.
Fifth-year captain Kaitlin Willoughby opened the scoring 5:27 into the second period. Willoughby scooped a loose puck in the neutral zone and would skate past Panda defenders to earn a clean look at the net, making no mistake as the puck ringed off the crossbar and in.
Vance stopped 27 of 28 shots in the loss, while second-year Kirsten Chamberlan stopped 28 of 29 at the other end of the ice.
These teams meet again Saturday night in Rutherford Rink. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.