Rookie Kate Ball scored the second goal of her U SPORTS career but the Saskatchewan Huskies weren’t able to start 2020 off with a win as they fell 2-1 to the Alberta Pandas Friday night at Clare Drake Arena.

Alex Gowie and Madison Willian both found the back for the net for the Pandas, who improve to 10-6-1-0 on the season, while Kate Ball had the lone goal for the Huskies.

Halle Oswald continued the Pandas goaltender dominace by stoping 23 of 24 shots she faced. During their six game win streak the tandem have only seen two goals get past them, while stoping a combined 103 shots.

The first period consisted of plenty of back-and-forth action. However, not many chances came, as both teams posted a combined shot total of eight.

However, the Pandas wasted no time in the second, taking advantage just two minutes into the period converting on the power play. After trapping the Huskies in their own end for an extended amount of time, Gowie slotted the puck in short side allowing the Pandas to take the first goal of the game.

Minutes later the Huskies netted a goal of their own. Shyan Elias was able to spring Ball on a partial brake away from just inside the Pandas blueline, tying the score at 1-1.

Not long after the Pandas took back the lead 2-1, when Willan scored the game winner after walking out from the far corner and going bar-down for her sixth goal of the season.

The Huskies and Pandas will close out the series Saturday afternoon at Clare Drake Arena, with puck drop at 2:00 p.m.