Rayna Hennie's game-winner late in the third period Saturday night lifted the Swift Current Innovation Federal Credit Union U18 AAA Wildcats to a comeback win over the Saskatoon Stars in their home opener.
Wildcats defenceman Hennie scored with 5:39 remaining in regulation to break a deadlock powering Swift Current to a 2-1 win at S3 West Arena.
"I just saw an open net with traffic in front of the net and thought it was a good opportunity for me to shoot," she said describing her goal from the blue line.
Stars forward Peyton Birnie opened the game's scoring with under two minutes left in the first period when she beat Wildcats netminder Jordyn Ottenbreit.
"We knew we had to come out there and show Saskatoon we were not giving up," Hennie said, referring to a conversation the Wildcats had during the second intermission. "We talked as a team and said we needed to bear down and get this thing done because this is our home opener."
The score stayed that way until Kaylee Williams tied the midway through the third period as she broke Stars goalie Adriana Bashnick's shutout bid.
Hennie potted the game-winner five minutes later as her shot made it through a maze of traffic to hand Swift Current its second straight win.
Ottenbreit was solid for the Wildcats picking up her first win of the season in net making 29 saves.
"She played really well," Hennie said. "She kept us in the game. We were so happy she did that for us and we appreciate how she played."
The two 2-1 teams will meet for a rematch on Sunday at 1:15 p.m. at S3 West Arena.
Country 94.1's Local Sports Live will broadcast the game beginning with coverage at 1 p.m.