Don't count the Saskatoon Stars out is the message from Wednesday night's match at the 2019 Esso Cup.
Last year's silver medallist rallied in the third period not only snatched a win away from Sudbury, but also snatched first place away from the Lady Wolves at the national midget tournament, currently playing out at the Gerry McCrory Countryside Sports Complex.
Sudbury got on the board first when Mylène Lefebvre when halfway through the first period, she banked a shot off Stars' goalie Arden Kliewer's leg from behind the net and scored.
Showing why they won silver last year, Saskatoon responded three minutes later when Kaitlin Jockims scored on the power play to tie it up.
The teams went into the second period snarled at 1-1, but Sudbury showed off its power play prowess four minutes into the period when Alexe Clavelle of Kapuskasing banged in a one-timer, giving the 2-1 lead to the Lady Wolves.
Thanks to the hand-eye coordination and stunning speed of Mireille Kingsley, 40 scoreless minutes passed in which she kept Sudbury's lead in place. A glove save on a partial breakaway was a sight to behold.
The Lady Wolves went into the third up 2-1, but a costly mistake gave Saskatoon the chance to tie the game.
Sudbury was caught with too many players on the ice, and the resulting penalty saw the Stars' Emily Holmes the chance she needed, snapping a wrist shot through a maze of skates to tie the game with just over four minutes left.
The Stars took a penalty after that, giving Sudbury a good chance to break the tie and get the win, but it wasn't to be.
Saskatoon's Grace Shirley scored shorthanded with just 41.9 seconds left and gave Saskatoon a 3-2 win, and snatching first place away from Sudbury at the 2019 Esso Cup.
Saskatoon's Arden Kliewer made 23 saves to earn the win, while Lady Wolves' Mireille Kingsley stopped 32.
Saskatoon looks to lock up first place with a win on this afternoon against the Halifax Fire. Game time is 3:30 p.m. If Saskatoon loses, Sudbury has a chance to seize first place back if they can secure a win against the As de Québec at 7 p.m. tonight.
The championship rounds begin Friday.
