Huskies edge Tommies 2-1

(Fredericton, NB) The St. Thomas University Tommies fell 2-1 when they played host to the Saint Mary's University Huskies in AUS women's hockey action Saturday night at the Grant Harvey Centre.

The Huskies jumped out to an early lead when Siobhan Birch found the loose puck in the goal crease and found a way to put the puck past Caroline Pietroski, giving Saint Mary's a 1-0 lead. 
 

Tommies head coach, Peter Murphy acknowledged the play as some miscommunication from his team, which led to the first goal of the contest. 

"We just made a mistake in the first," said Murphy. "Saint Mary's is a deep team and you can't make mistakes against them."

The goal marked just the fourth powerplay goal scored against the Tommies, who went into the game with a 95 percent penalty kill rate on the season.

The Huskies wasted no time in the second period, scoring on a rebound from Shae Demale, who moved into a tie for the top of AUS in points scored.

The Tommies finally solved Saint Mary's goaltender, Rebecca Clark, with less than five minutes remaining in the third period on an errant shot off the stick of Alex Woods to bring the game to within one. 

"Woods had a good game tonight getting up for that goal as well," said Murphy. "Sometimes our best breakout is our defence skating the puck, and Woods did that."

The score held up and the Tommies fell 2-1 on the account of Rebecca Clark's player of the game performance, allowing only one goal on 15 shots.

The Tommies lacked the offensive firepower in this game, but Peter Murphy admits the offence will come with the practice the team puts in.

"You can do drills and different variations of scoring drills," said Murphy. "It's a matter of keep doing the same and staying persistent."

The Tommies will look to have a quick turnaround as they play the Mount Allison Mounties Sunday afternoon.

"We're seeing a different goalie we haven't seen yet," said Murphy. "We just have to work hard and work hard on rebounds and use every chance we get."

The Tommies are on the ice Sunday when they play host to the Mounties when they visit the Grant Harvey Centre for the 3:00pm puck drop, while the Huskies will travel to Moncton to face the Aigles Bleues.    

--- Sean Crocker, STU BA '20 ---