Huskies Rally Past Tommies

Photo: SMU Athletics
Photo: SMU Athletics

Halifax, NS - The game started a little slow as both teams were playing their second game in two nights. In a tight game between two equally matched sides the Huskies had a bit more in the tank, skating away with a two to one win over the Tommies. 

The Tommies got on the board first with a lucky early goal from Erin Arsenault who seemed to throw a sharp angle shot at the net hoping for the best. The Huskies did start to grow into the game. Their puck movement got better and they started testing Caroline Pietroski in the Tommies net. But the Huskies went into the break down by one.  

The second period flew by, as the refs let both teams play a free flowing game. The Huskies best chance of the period was cleared off the line by a diving poke check by Tommies' left winger Aislynn Byers to preserve the Tommies lead. The best chance for St Thomas came from a Martine Barclay breakaway but she was stoned by Huskies goalie Ashley Imlach (Newtonville ON / Commerce), keeping SMU within one. 

The Huskies tied the game up nine seconds into the period, a shot from Taylor Keeping (Hackett's Cove NS / Science) was tipped in by Siobhan Birch (Mississauga ON / MBA). At the five minute mark of the third, the Huskies got a lucky bounce off of a Tommies defender which let Eve LeBlanc (Petit-Rocher NB / Science) walk in to fire a shot low blocker side. 

The shot was saved but Pietroski kicked the rebound right onto Taylor Keeping's stick on the back post. Keeping put the puck into a wide open net. Huskies survived late pressure from the Tommies who were buoyed by a phenomenal penalty kill. The Tommies had a handful of high quality shots with their extra attacker in the last minute of play but the Huskies defensive play, anchored by Imlach, were able to hold on to their one goal advantage. 

The Subway Player of the Game was Huskies #14 Taylor Keeping, who recorded a goal and an assist on the game.  

The Huskies improve their record to 3-0-1 (W-L-OL) on the season and are on the road next week, playing Mount Allison on Friday night, but playing at home Saturday against UPEI. 

The Tommies loss puts their record at 2-2-0 on the season and are in action again Saturday night, when they visit Mount Allison.