Wildcats take commanding playoff lead with road win

Sara Kendall STEVEN MAH/SOUTHWEST BOOSTER FILE PHOTO

The Swift Current Diamond Energy Wildcats took a stranglehold on their opening round Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League playoff series with a 6-1 win over the host Battlefords Sharks on Friday.

The Wildcats won the special teams battle for a second straight game when they finished two-for-three on the man-advantage and killed off all five shorthanded situations.

The game was tied 1-1 after only 1:52, but the Wildcats broke it open with the final three goals of the first period for a commanding 4-1 lead.

League MVP Taylor Lind led the Wildcats with two goals and one assist, while Baylee Kirwan assisted on three consecutive goals. Sara Kendall scored twice for a second straight game and Ashlee Wolfe added a pair of assists.

Brooklyn Rublee and Crystal Wale also scored, while Ryleigh White added an assist.

Amaya Giraudier earned the win with 20 saves. Haylie Biever took the loss with 21 saves.

The Wildcats will look to close out the series on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Fairview West Arena.