Emma Waldenberger's overtime goal gave the Regina Rebels a 4-3 win over the Battlefords AAA Sharks in game one of their SFMAAAHL quarterfinal playoff series Wednesday night at the Co-operators Centre.
The Rebels are up 1-0 in the best-of-five series.
There was no scoring in the first period. Sharks goaltender Rachel Mitchell stopped all 18 shots fired her way in the period. Regina held the Sharks to three shots on net.
Battlefords struck first with a goal early in the second. Brooke Lonoway beat Rebels goaltender Tatum Shand with an unassisted goal 3:43 into the frame.
Regina tied the game shortly after. Marlee Clarkson scored on Mitchell to make it a 1-1 game 5:23 into the second. The Rebels took a 2-1 lead on a power play midway through the period. With Sharks forward Mallory Roy in the box for hooking, Erica Rieder found the back of the net with 10:35 to play in the stanza.
The Sharks evened the game before the end of the period. Jetta Derenoski scored an unassisted goal with 7:35 remaining.
In the third, Regina jumped back in front. Santana Gravelle got the puck past Mitchell 5:03 into the period.
Battlefords sent the game to overtime with a goal late in the third. After Waldenberger took a tripping penalty with 2:10 to play, Laura Harper beat Shand with 49 seconds left to force extra time.
In the overtime period, Waldenberger made amends for her costly penalty at the end of regulation. She scored eight minutes into the extra frame to win the game for the Rebels.
Mitchell stopped 46 of 50 shots faced in the game while earning the loss. Shand made 21 saves in the Rebels' victory.
Game two of the series is Thursday night in Battleford at the Battleford Arena. Puck drop is 6:30 p.m. Game three is Sunday afternoon in Regina.
