Tommies shutout Huskies 3-0 in Halifax

HALIFAX, NS- The Saint Mary's Huskies fell to the St. Thomas Tommies 3-0 after a hard-fought battle Friday night at the Dauphinee Centre.

In the first minutes of the game, Huskies forward Jillian Duggan (Halifax, NS) received a cross-ice breakaway pass, but her shot was denied by Tommies goalie Katie Sweeney (Tecumseh, ON)

A few moments later, the Huskies went on to their first penalty kill of the game. The Tommies made no mistake on their chance, with forward Claire Nimegeers (Wilcox, SK) scoring her first goal of the season off teammate Amber Daley's (Regina, SK) point shot to put the Tommies up 1-0.

Halfway through the first period, Tommies forward Trinity Webber (Brampton, ON) picked off a pass at the Huskies blueline for a great breakaway chance, but Huskies goaltender Sophie Scully (Ottawa, ON) was there to stop it. The Huskies responded with a chance of their own as forward Mackenzie Beggs (Kemptville, ON) battled her way into the Tommies zone, firing a shot on net, but Sweeney would be there to make the save.

The Huskies went onto the powerplay with just under three minutes remaining in the period. The Huskies offence sent a flurry of shots onto the Tommies goal, however, Tommies netminder Sweeney stood firm, keeping the Tommies lead 1-0.

As the teams headed into the first intermission, the Huskies outshot the Tommies 12-9, with the Tommies leading 1-0.

The early minutes of the second period saw end-to-end action, with both teams trading opportunities. Huskies goalie Scully made key saves, shutting the door on Tommies forward Lauren Smith's (Truro, NS) cross-ice quick shot to keep the Tommies lead to one.

As the period reached the halfway mark, Huskies forward Kara MacLean (Antigonish, NS), off of a face-off play, made a wraparound attempt, looking for the Huskies first goal, but Tommies netminder Sweeney made the save.

A few moments later, Tommies forward Martina Barclay (Winnipeg, MB) had a breakaway opportunity, but her shot would go wide. Following up on their opportunity, Webber made a slot pass to teammate Nadia Lavoie (St Isidore, AB), who tipped the pass, but Huskies goalie Scully made the sprawling save, keeping the score at 1-0 for the Tommies. 

As the second period of the game wound down, the Huskies poured on the pressure. Huskies forward Kate Gallant (Brooklin, ON) made a shot from the corner, a Tommies defence tipped the shot to hit the crossbar.

As the teams headed into the second intermission, the Huskies outshot the Tommies 23-19, with the Tommies still leading 1-0.

In the opening seconds of the third period, Webber chased down a puck for a breakaway opportunity, but Gallant made a great defensive play to stop the opportunity however, it resulted in the Huskies going on the penalty kill.

Huskies defense rose to the occasion and successfully killed off their penalty, with Scully continuing her strong performance to keep the Tommies lead 1-0.

The Huskies responded with an opportunity of their own, as Abigail Mackenzie (Stellarton, NS) pounced on a loose puck and fired it on the net through traffic, but Sweeney was there to make the save.

Halfway through the third period, the Huskies offence went onto the powerplay. The Huskies fired several shots on the Tommies net, looking for the tying goal, but Sweeney stood tall once again.

Moments later, Tommies defender Olivia Stock (Waterdown, ON) fired a bouncing shot from the point through traffic that found its way to the back of the net, extending the Tommies lead 2-0.

With five minutes left in the game, the Huskies defence went to work again as they went onto their penalty kill. The Huskies successfully killed off the penalty and battled with urgency as they entered the game's final moments.

With under one minute to play, the Huskies took a time-out. Once they returned to play, Scully raced to the bench so the Huskies could play six on-five, searching for a goal.

As the third period wound down, Tommies forward Amy Dvernichuk (Regina, SK) scored an empty net goal, securing the Tommies win 3-0.

Tommies netminder Katie Sweeney was named Player of the Game, stopping all 28 shots on the night for the shutout. Huskies goaltender Sophie Scully stopped 26 shots for the Huskies.

The Tommies win improves their record to 7-2-1 on the season. St. Thomas will be back in action tomorrow night as they visit the Moncton Aigles Bleues at the Jean-Louis Lévesque Arena.

The Huskies loss drops their record to 5-4-0-1 on the season. Saint Mary's will return this Sunday afternoon as they host the STFX X-Women at the Dauphinee Centre, with puck drop at 3 p.m.

Recap by Alyson Duffy / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics