2019 Esso Cup

LADY WOLVES EKE OUT WIN OVER RIVAL SABRES

QUINTON AMUNDSON

SUDBURY, Ont. – Lauren Hancock’s tally at 14:40 of the first period stood up as the winner as Mireille Kingsley outdueled Megan Warrener in a goaltending battle to lead the Sudbury Lady Wolves to a 2-1 win over the Stoney Creek Sabres on Tuesday night at the 2019 Esso Cup.

Kinglsey made 23 stops, including 10 in a frenzied opening period that saw both clubs combine for 30 shots. Warrener was terrific at the other end in a 40-save performance.

The win leaves Sudbury as the only unbeaten team in the field, while Stoney Creek dropped to 1-2.

The Lady Wolves put on the pressure right from the opening face-off, and their efforts led to a goal at 4:38 by Katie Chomiak, who backhanded in a rebound after Warrener made a toe save on Abbey Patterson.

Stoney Creek pushed back and tied the game when Alyssa Kawa tipped a shot just underneath the crossbar, but Hancock put Sudbury back in the driver’s seat for good just 30 seconds later by plowing the puck into the short-side corner from the lip of the crease.

Warrener was called upon to make 18 saves in the first period – including many chances generated by turnovers forced by Sudbury’s forecheck and play in the neutral zone.

Momentum carried over into the second period for both masked women. They combined to make 17 saves to produce a scoreless second frame.

The third period saw the Lady Wolves tighten the defensive screws by not allowing the Sabres to generate a single shot in the first 10 minutes. Stoney Creek made a late push, but Kingsley proved to be unyielding between the pipes.

Sudbury will look to keep its unblemished record intact when it faces the Saskatoon Stars on Wednesday night (7 p.m. ET), right after Stoney Creek attempts to topple the As de Québec (3:30 p.m. ET).