Defensive powerhouse Tommies shut out Panthers 3-0

By Thomas Becker

Photo Janessa Hogan

The St. Thomas Tommies proved why they're an elite defensive team, shutting out the UPEI Panthers 3-0 Friday night at MacLauchlan Arena.

UPEI struggled all night to create scoring opportunities against the nation's fifth-ranked program, who limited UPEI to just 17 shots – nine of which came in the final period.

"I was pleased with the way the girls pushed back in the third period," said Panthers head coach Bruce Donaldson. "But we have to make sure we play a 60-minute game versus a 20-minute game."

Tommies rookie Lauren Legault scored the winning goal at 2:32 in the first period, while teammate Lauren Henman recorded two points (a goal and an assist) in the victory.

After allowing six goals in their previous two games, the Tommies returned to form with a strong defensive effort to stay undefeated at 3-0.

"In the games against St. F.X. and Saint Mary's, we didn't like the way we played in our own zone, so today's focus was to tighten that up," said Tommies head coach Peter Murphy. "We were a little better, but it's still not where we want to be."

From the moment the puck dropped, St. Thomas dominated possession and made the home team uncomfortable in their own zone, firing shots at Panthers' keeper Marie-Soleil Deschenes without resistance.

Just three minutes into the game and with pressure already mounting on Deschenes, Legault beat the goaltender, scoring her first career Atlantic University Sport (AUS) goal, giving St. Thomas an early 1-0 advantage.

"She's been really good for us," Murphy said of his young forward. "She has a real nose for the net."

Deschenes' veteran presence between the pipes was crucial in keeping the deficit within distance. With only a minute remaining in the period, the keeper turned away back-to-back shots on a scramble at the net to keep it 1-0 heading into the first intermission.

Midway through the second period the floodgates opened. At 10:09, St. Thomas doubled their lead 2-0 on a powerplay marker by Henman. Teammate Paige Jackson followed up just three minutes later with her first goal of the season, pushing the lead to 3-0.

Tommies goaltender Abby Clarke was effective in net, stopping all 17 shots she faced – including two breakaway stops – to preserve the shutout, but wasn't otherwise challenged by the Panthers' stagnant offence. The defence in front of her kept the UPEI offence in check, eliminating any threat that came their way.

"This is the first time we've been shut out this year," Donaldson said. "Right now it's about making sure we get pucks to the net and battling in front of it when we get there."

The Panthers won't have to wait long to see how their offence responds as they take on the Saint Mary's Huskies on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. in Halifax.