Tommies defeat Huskies 2-1 in annual Red Tape game
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
St. Thomas (15-7-3, 15-7-3) | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
|
Saint Mary's (10-9-6, 10-9-6) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
HALIFAX, NS – St. Thomas forward Ekaterina Pelowich scored the game-winning goal with 4:44 remaining in the third period, giving the Tommies a 2-1 win over the Saint Mary's Huskies in Atlantic University Sport women's hockey action on Friday night at the Dauphinee Centre.
It was the Huskies Saint Mary's Red Tape Hockey game, raising awareness around racism in sport in support of former SMU student Logan Prosper of We'koqma'q First Nation. Prosper was on the receiving end of a racial slur during a minor hockey game in Cape Breton (or Unama'ki) in 2019. After that, he put red tape on his hockey stick as a visible reminder that such intolerance has no place in hockey and sport more broadly.
The first period was a defensive battle, as both teams struggled to generate scoring opportunities. The Huskies outshot the Tommies 8-5 in the opening 20 minutes, but St. Thomas goaltender Katie Sweeney (Tecumseh, ON) and Saint Mary's goaltender Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) turned away all attempts, as the two teams went into intermission with a scoreless tie.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 8, 2025
Ridleigh Hansen with a great save! Huskies and Tommies are still scoreless early in the second period. pic.twitter.com/WGeQrGnryJ
Just under six minutes into the second period, the Tommies opened the scoring, as defender MJ English (Fredericton, NB) fired a high shot from the post that sailed over Hansen's right shoulder, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead, 5:41 into the second period.
With just over a minute remaining in the second period, the Huskies equalized, as forward Keyara Nelson (Belleville, ON) chipped the puck forward to linemate Kara MacLean (Antigonish, NS) who sniped a wrist shot top corner past Sweeney, tying the game at 1-1, at the 18:59 mark of the second period.
HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��
— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) February 8, 2025
Kara MacLean scores late in the second period to tie the game at 1-1!
��K. MacLean (4) pic.twitter.com/vOpkRU7Hcn
The Tommies outshot the Huskies 15-10 in the second period, but the two teams went into the second intermission tied at 1-1.
Both teams pushed for the go-ahead goal throughout the third period, but Hansen and Sweeney continued to be outstanding in net, making several big saves.
With just under five minutes remaining, Tommies captain Ekaterina Pelowich (Stouffville, ON) scored the game-winning goal, after Hansen made a great initial save, the puck was deflected on to Pelowich's stick in the slot, and she made no mistake, beating Hansen high to win the game.
The Tommies outshot the Huskies 28-25 on the night, with Katie Sweeney stopping 24 shots for the win, while Ridleigh Hansen made 26 saves in defeat.
The Tommies win improves their record to 15-7-2-1 on the season, clinching a playoff spot. The Tommies will continue their Halifax road-swing on Saturday, Feb. 8, visiting the Dalhousie Tigers (13-7-3-1) at 7 p.m. at the Dalplex.
The Huskies loss drops their record to 10-9-4-2 on the campaign. Saint Mary's will hit the road on Saturday, Feb. 8, visiting the UNB REDS (17-5-1-1) at 7 p.m. in Fredericton, NB.
Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
