Published: Saturday, 05 March 2022 21:03
Written by David Zammit

The Swift Current Innovation Credit Union U18 Female AAA Wildcats opened their postseason this evening with a 3-1 win over the visiting Battlefords Sharks.

All three Swift Current goals came in the third period to erase a one-goal deficit propelling them to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series. Wildcats defenceman Caitlyn Perlinger scored the game-winner midway through the final frame.

“I think it started in the dressing room, we all put our minds to that we wanted to come back and win this game,” she said. “We didn’t want to start our playoff run from behind.”

Sharks defenceman Ava Cole opened the games scoring around the midway point of the first period rifling a wrist shot past Wildcats goalie Karlee Lehner.

The Wildcats wouldn’t respond until just over five minutes into the third period when Swift Current’s Cydny Price beat Sharks goalie Emma Backman to the post on a wraparound tying the game up.

Perlinger found the back of the net five minutes later with a wrist shot beating Backman upstairs giving the Wildcats their first lead of the game at 2-1.

“I seen we had people in front of the net so I thought it was best to just shoot,” she said describing her thought process on the marker.

Swift Current defenceman Jessica Bouffard netted the insurance goal with 1:57 left in regulation with a point shot that eluded Backman.

“I think we started off not our best but after that, we picked it up and we were able to play our game,” she said.

Lehner made 21 saves in goal for the Wildcats picking up her first-ever playoff victory while Swift Current produced 38 shots on the Sharks goal.

Game two goes tomorrow afternoon in Battleford at 1:30 p.m. with game three back in Swift Current Wednesday night.