Fredericton, NB - The St Thomas University Tommies defeated the Mount Allison University Mounties 5-2 Friday night at the Grant-Harvey Centre. Emma Wilson (Midhurst, ON) found the back of the net twice while Claire Nimegeers (Wilcox, SK), Jordan Chaulk (Bonavista, NL) and Jacey Dane (Aurora, ON) each netted their own. Nimegeers added two assists.
On the Mounties' end, Tallon Stephenson (Lloydminister, AB) and Lauren Steele (Stratford, PEI) put MTA on the board.
Before the game, the Tommies had only scored five goals in a game once, coming on Jan. 7 against the Mounties.
It was Bell Let's Talk night at the Grant-Harvey Centre and fans dawned the classic blue hats in support of mental health awareness.
This was a must-win game for the snake-bitten Tommies as they opened the flood gates in the second period after trailing 1-0 in the first.
For the most part, Mount A held their own and generated good offensive looks during the game, however, STU capitalized on their chances. Just after an expiring powerplay, Chaulk collected a bouncing puck in a sea of Mounties and deposited it in the open cage passed diving tender Bianca Zak. This was rookie Chaulk's first AUS goal and her teammates weren't quiet about it. The offence kept flowing, boasted by a three-point outing from Nimegeers and a double dip, one shorthanded, from Wilson. Nimegeers now has 13 points on the year which leads her team.
Goalie Katie Sweeney (Tecumseh, ON) held her own after a flurry of chances in the first period, showcased by two breakaways from Mountie Hailey Simoneau (Milton, ON). A good pass resulting in a wide-open cage and a screened seeing-eye shot were the only chances to best Sweeney tonight.
With tonight's win, STU now trails the sixth place Moncton by four points, who holds the final playoff spot. With a game in-hand, les Aigles Blues face STU twice before the regular season ends in what could be the most important games of the year for the Tommies.
STU women's hockey returns to the Grant-Harvey Centre on Saturday Jan. 28 when UPEI comes to town. The last time the teams met it went to overtime with the Panthers earning the extra point on Nov. 18. The Mounties will take on the St. FX X-Women at home in their next match on Jan. 27.
Recap by: Keaghan Keddy
