2016 Esso Cup

LESCHYSHYN SCORES TWICE TO LEAD STARS TO SECOND WIN

WENDY GRAVES

Weyburn, Sask. – Anna Leschyshyn (Saskatoon, Sask.) scored two goals and the Saskatoon Stars improved to 2-0 at the 2016 Esso Cup with a 4-2 over the Express du Richelieu on Monday afternoon.

Kianna Dietz (Hanley, Sask.) and Grace Shirley (Saskatoon, Sask.) also scored for the Stars. Julia Rongve (Saskatoon, Sask.) and Mackenna Parker (Clavet, Sask.) added two assists each.

Emma Johnson (Saskatoon, Sask.) made 16 saves in picking up her second win in as many games.

In a tightly contested game, it was goals from Leschyshyn and Shirley 55 seconds apart in the third period that was the difference.

With Saskatoon on the power play, Leschyshyn walked out from the corner and sent a wrist shot from the face-off circle past Carolanne Franc-Brown (McMasterville, Que.). Shirley then sent a low shot from just above the goal line into the back of the net.

In what proved to be the most entertaining game so far of the still-short week, it was the Express taking the early lead.

After helping keep the puck below the goal line, Éloïse Dubé (St-Hyacinthe, Que.) made her way out front, where Léonie Philbert (St-Bruno, Que.) found her unmarked from behind the net.

Dietz equalized at the 15:12 mark. Kalista Senger (Clavet, Sask.) drove to the net and had her shot deflected wide. Her follow-up was denied by Franc-Brown, but Dietz made sure the third time was the charm.

Back-to-back minor penalties to the Express to end the period meant the Stars started the second with a five-on-three advantage. The period was barely underway when the Stars made good with their extra two skaters. Willow Slobodzian’s (Clavet, Sask.) point shot bounced off Franc-Brown’s chest, and Leschyshyn emerged from a crowded crease area to give the Stars the lead.

Eight minutes later the rebound from Camille Fleury’s (Ste-Julie, Que.) point shot fell to the side of the net, where Émilie Lavoie (Beloeil, Que.) swept in to sweep it in.

The Stars now face the Rocky Mountain Raiders on Tuesday (12 p.m. MT). Richelieu drops to 1-1 and next meets the Weyburn Gold Wings (7 p.m. MT).