In a back-and-forth offensive showcase, the Calgary Glaciers outlasted the Bow Valley Nationals 5-4 in a thrilling Female Super League contest. The game was a tale of two halves, with the Nationals striking first when charleigh mcculloch, wearing number 12, found the back of the net midway through the first period, assisted by Khloe Parks and Klaire Hilliard. The Glaciers answered before the period ended, with Lily Bennett tying the game with help from Peyton Krueger and Abigail Mills. The physicality began to ramp up early, with four minor penalties called in the opening frame, setting the stage for a chippy battle.
The second period saw the Glaciers take their first lead as Hana Chalupova, number 29, scored an unassisted goal early on. The third period, however, exploded with action. The Glaciers seemed to seize control with a quick one-two punch: Lilly Redmond scored just 58 seconds into the period, followed by Chalupova's second goal of the night just 31 seconds later to make it 4-1. Peyton Krueger then netted what would prove to be the crucial game-winner midway through the period. But the Nationals, showing tremendous resilience, mounted a furious comeback on the power play. charleigh mcculloch completed a hat-trick with two late goals, one on the power play and another with just six seconds remaining, while Klaire Hilliard also scored to bring the Nationals within one. The final push fell just short as time expired.
The game was marked by a parade to the penalty box, with the Glaciers' Greta Baldwin taking three separate minors. The Nationals' power play capitalized late, but the early third-period surge by the Glaciers, led by Chalupova's two goals and key assists from Lily Bennett and Maci Dueck, provided just enough cushion. In a game where goalie stats were not specifically tracked, the shot totals told the story of offensive pressure, with the Nationals firing 39 shots to the Glaciers' 31 in a valiant but ultimately unsuccessful comeback bid.
