Fredericton, NB – U Sports #2 ranked Saint Mary's University Huskies made the trip from Halifax to face the St. Thomas University Tommies and are leaving with a 2-1 victory, after outshooting the Tommies 42-17 on Sunday afternoon.
This rivalry game was one to watch, with both teams getting their feet under them in preparation for the playoffs. This game had plenty of special teams action, as both teams spent plenty of time on the penalty kill and power play. A total of eleven penalties over the span of the game between the two teams, four penalties by the Huskies and seven by the Tommies.
The Tommies had goalie Katie Sweeney (Tecumseh, ON) get some prep in by finally making her AUS season debut, and it was an outstanding performance making forty saves on forty-two shots. Keeping the Tommies in this game every step of the way.
The first period had one goal and it was scored by the Huskies late in the frame, giving them a lead heading into the intermission. The goal was a scramble in front of the net barely crossing the line, with Taylor Keeping (Cove, NS.) getting credit.
During the opening minutes of the second the Huskies would score another to take the lead two and they would try to get another with the four powerplays they received, but the Tommies penalty kill stood tall and didn't let a single goal in with SMU on the power play. However, the Tommies were determined to get this game back and they started by getting one shortly after the Huskies first goal, with a beauty from Megan Pardy (Courtice, ON.).
The third period would have two penalties with each team working on their special units again trying to breakthrough and take the game but the third would remain scoreless and end two to one in favor of the Huskies.
"It was a great opportunity, and it was a long time coming. Obviously wasn't the result we wanted but I'm glad I got this opportunity to play," said Sweeney following the game. With an outstanding game from Sweeney the team seemed in high spirits despite the loss to the Huskies.
"The PK was unreal today, forced them (the Huskies) to do something special to try and beat us," said head coach, Peter Murphy, on the Tommies PK units.
Coach Murphy also had this to say on the Tommies PP, "The PP still needs some work but it's coming along; I think it will get there eventually. It's just a matter of time, we're seeing progress."
"She played phenomenal for us and it's a great game for her to build off of," he added about his goalie's performance.
Both teams will face the StFX X-Women in their next matches, with the Huskies playing them on February 21st and the Tommies playing February 25th.
Recap: Brock Johnson