Women's Hockey | 8/22/2015 3:41:00 PM
STOCKHOLM, Sweden - The University of Regina women's hockey team closed their Sweden tour with a 3-2 loss to AIK IF on Saturday evening.
Jaycee Magwood (pictured) netted her first goal as a Cougar and
Kylie Gavelin also scored for Regina.
Lisa Johansson scored twice for AIK, including the winner. Clara Hjalmarsson added another for the home team.
The Cougars managed to control the puck for most of the first period, but it was AIK who came out of the opening frame with a 2-0 lead.
The first goal came with five minutes and 18 seconds left in the period after a loose puck bounced to an AIK defenceman who put a slapshot on net. The shot was tipped by Hjalmarsson, beating
Toni Ross and putting the home team up 1-0.
AIK added to its lead before the period was done, as a deflected pass deep in the Cougars zone trickled right to Johansson all alone in the slot. She collected the puck and snapped a quick shot under the glove of Ross, bumping the AIK lead to 2-0.
Carleen Meszaros had the best scoring opportunity for the Cougars in the first, as she snuck backdoor on a powerplay late in the period.
Brooklyn Moskowy's pass was right on point but goaltender Sara Besseling was able to slide over in time to stop the one-timer.
Caitlin Dempsey made a nice play in the second period, tipping a loose puck past an AIK defender and going in on a breakaway. She ripped a low shot and had a whack at the rebound, but Besseling got in front of both attempts.
AIK went to the powerplay a few minutes later following a Meszaros hooking penalty, but it was the Cougars that came away with a goal. Gavelin put the pressure on a retreating AIK defender, who coughed up the puck. Gavelin scooped it up, going in alone, and beat Besseling with a quick wrist shot to cut the lead in half.
The Cougars continued to battle back and evened it up early in the third after
Tessa Wilson went on a one-on-one rush and drew a tripping penalty. Regina cycled the puck around the offensive zone, and
Bailey Braden put a shot on net through traffic. There was a scrum in front and Magwood ended up banging it in, tying the game 2-2.
Emma Waldenberger and Braden assisted on Magwood's first goal with the team.
After successfully killing off an AIK powerplay shortly following the Waldenberger goal, the Cougars found themselves back on the penalty kill after
Meghan Sherven was whistled for slashing. AIK would capitalize on the advantage, with Johansson circling around the net and scoring her second of the game on a rebound after
Jane Kish made the initial save.
The goal came with 3:58 remaining, and the Cougars could not put any quality scoring chances together before the final whistle.
The loss marks the end of the Cougars overseas jaunt, with the team feeling much closer on and off the ice.
"I didn't know most of the girls before the trip," first-year defenceman
Tamara McVannel said following Saturday's game. "Spending so much time together, rooming with different people and doing all these activities as a team really brings everyone together. I feel like making the transition to this level can be intimidating for young players but I feel right at home with these girls."
Fifth-year forward Moskowy agrees with McVannel, noting chemistry as an important ingredient to team success.
"I've never seen a team this comfortable with each other this early on," Moskowy said. "You can tell how comfortable everyone is with each other, both on and off the ice. Everyone has come out of their shells and has complete trust and confidence in each other. It makes a huge difference on the ice.
"I expect a lot of success out of this group," Moskowy added. "It's great to be on a team where everyone wants to win and is willing to put the work in to be successful."
The Cougars will make the return trip home on Monday, and be back on the ice for practice on Sept. 1. The Cougars have a pair of exhibition games scheduled for Sept. 19 and 20 against Mount Royal University in Weyburn.
