O’Neill sparks offence in Huskies 2-0 win over Tommies

HALIFAX, NS- The Saint Mary's Huskies bounced back with a 2-0 win over the St. Thomas Tommies on Saturday night at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

Huskies defenceman Eve LeBlanc (Petit-Rocher, NB) took one of the game's first shots from the hash marks, looking to start the scoring; however, Tommies goaltender Caroline Pietroski (Etobicoke, ON) was there to stop the shot.

As the period progressed and both teams were looking to take the lead, Tommies forward Ekaterina Pelowich (Stouffville, ON) took a hard shot off a drop pass, but Huskies netminder Ridleigh Hansen (Red Deer, AB) was there to stop one of her first shots of the game.

At 9:57 in the first period, the Huskies descended onto the Tommies net, and Huskies forward Aimee O'Neill (Glace Bay, NS) netted the first goal of the game, assisted by Kate Gallant (Brooklin, ON) and Caleigh Meraw (Red Deer, AB).

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Aimee O'Neill finishes off a rebound from a Kate Gallant shot for her sixth of the season, giving @SMUHuskiesWH an early 1-0 lead.

��A O'Neill (6)
��K. Gallant
��C. Meraw pic.twitter.com/FqT3dae8zW

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 14, 2023

As the Tommies were swarming the Huskies net, forward Trinity Webber (Brampton, ON) took a couple of wacks at the puck in a scrum in front of the net but couldn't get it past Huskies goaltender Hansen.

The Huskies outshot the Tommies 15-4 in the first period and went into the first intermission leading 1-0.

Starting the second period off, Tommies forward Martina Barclay (Winnipeg, MB), Pelowich, and Payton Jacobs (Richmond, ON) came in on a 3-on -1 looking to score the Tommies first goal of the game.

Huskies forward Ellen Laurence (Kentville, NS) responded with a one-timer on a pass from Lauren Papp (Brampton, ON) down low in the corner, only to be stopped by Tommies goaltender Pietroski.

At just over five minutes into the second period, the Huskies went on their first power play. The Huskies poured on the pressure however the Tommies stood firm, killing their first penalty kill of the game. 

As the period wound down, The Huskies found themselves on their second powerplay of the game; however, very quickly after the Huskies took their first penalty of the game, heading into the last two minutes of the period, play, even strength four on four.

The Huskies outshot the Tommies 31-14 at the end of the second period and went into the first intermission, still leading 1-0.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Ridleigh Hansen with a big breakaway save to keep the @SMUHuskiesWH in front 1-0 at the end of the second period! pic.twitter.com/SbHT4RxKhF

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 15, 2023

The Huskies started the third period on the penalty kill. Tommies forward Erin Arsenault (Oakville, ON) looking to capitalize on their powerplay fired a shot from the point, but Hansen was there to stop it.

The home team would double their lead just over a minute into the third period, when Laurence took a shot from the ringette line, picked up her own rebound and made no mistake, slipping it past the goalie's skate for her first of the game at 1:04 in the third.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

Ellen Laurence gets it done to put @SMUHuskiesWH up 2-0! Gallant and O'Neill pick up their second point of the night!

��E. Laurence (3)
��K. Gallant
��A. O'Neill pic.twitter.com/pArrvri1Yw

— SMU Huskies (@SMUHuskies) January 15, 2023

Tommies forward Trinity Webber looking to put her team on the board picked up a turnover and fired a long shot from just inside the Huskies zone, but Hansen was there to stop the puck up high.

At 6:38 in the third period, the Huskies went on the penalty kill for the second time this game, and they were able to kill off their penalty successfully.

As the third wound down into the last 5 minutes, Mackenzie Beggs (Kemptville, NS), looking to increase the Huskies lead, took a shot from down low, but Tommies goaltender Pietroski was there to stop it.

As the period came into the game's final minutes, the Tommies pulled their goaltender, looking to get their first of the game. They poured on the pressure taking multiple shots from in close; however, the Huskies defense and the goaltender were able to keep their lead at 2-0.

The Huskies outshot the Tommies 43-22 at the end of the third period, winning the game 2-0.

Tommies goaltender Caroline Pietroski had a fantastic game stopping 41 shots, while Huskies goaltender Ridleigh Hansen made 22 saves for the shutout win.

Huskies forward Aimee O Neill was named Subway Player of the Game with one goal and an assist in the game.

The Huskies win improves their record to 12-7-1 overall. They'll hit the road next weekend, visiting the UNB REDS on Friday, Jan. 20, and the Mount Allison Mounties on Saturday, Jan. 21, with both games scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

The Tommies loss drops their record to 6-14 on the season. They'll be back on the ice visiting the St. FX X-Women on Friday, Jan. 20, at 7 p.m.

Recap by Alyson Duffy / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics