2005 Esso Women's Nationals

Newfoundland/Labrador -2 Prince Edward Island -1

Relegation
March 12, 2005
Sarnia, ON

By Dwight Anderson / Sarniasports.com

Prince Edward Island met Newfoundland & Labrador in the qualifier game Saturday morning at the Nationals.  PEI was out to revenge their loss to NL on Thursday.

The first two periods didn’t have the same intensity as their previous meeting.  It was a battle of goalies.  Karen Quigley of NL and Amy Handrahan of PEI were stopping everything in the first 2 periods.

It was late in the second period before the scoreboard lit up.  Ambyr Gallant won a scramble behind the NL net and made a pass to Kate Guadet.  Guadet muscled her way around the side of the NL net, scoring on the wrap around for a 1-0 PEI lead.

The third period featured more intensity than the previous two.  PEI started the period with two players in the penalty box for 49 seconds. NL took full advantage.  Jennifer Pollett carried the puck into the PEI zone; slowing the play, looking for an open teammate.  She moved in closer to the PEI net; picking the top corner with a quick wrest shot to tie the game.

PEI continued to get into penalty trouble.  It was midway into the third period when NL caught them pinching while short handed.  Lesley Ann Mitchell caused a turn over, passed to Victoria Thistle who in turn passed the to Pollett.  Pollett broke in alone, making no mistake, for a 2-1 NL lead.

The remainder of the third featured end-to-end action with both goaltenders thrilling fans with spectacular saves.  PEI pressed late in the game but was unable get the tie. 

Karen Quigley (NL) and Amy Handrahan (PEI) were awarded Players of the Game for their performances between the pipes.