The Swift Current Innovation Credit Union Wildcats and Battlefords Sharks split the opening two games of their opening round Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League playoff series.
The Wildcats required some third-period heroics to win their opener on Saturday. The Wildcats scored three unanswered goals in the final frame to erase an early 1-0 deficit in a 3-1 victory.
Cydny Price tied the game for the Wildcats 5:47 into the third period. Caitlyn Perlinger scored the game winner on a shot from the point with 9:08 remaining in regulation. Jessica Bouffard scored an insurance goal in the final minutes. Ava Metzger assisted on the final two goals, while Tess Bakus assisted on the opener.
Ava Cole had scored for the Sharks midway through the opening frame on a top corner shot from the point.
Karlee Lehner earned the win with 21 saves. Emma Backman made 35 saves for the Sharks in a losing cause.
Sunday, the Wildcats fell behind early again and were unable to recover in a 2-1 road loss. Lacey Schneider scored twice in the first period as the Sharks finished two-for-three on the power play while the Wildcats failed to connect on three man-advantages.
Laiken Swan replied in the third period with a late goal assisted by Metzger and Addison Eurich.
Backman made 24 saves for the Sharks, while Lehner made 23 saves for the Wildcats.
Game three of the best-of-five series will be Wednesday at 8 p.m. in Swift Current.
