Fredericton, NB - The Saint Mary's University Huskies defeated the St. Thomas University Tommies 4-2 at the Grant-Harvey Centre in a Friday night matchup. Despite a shaky start for the Huskies which saw them give up a goal on the first shot of the game from rookie Amy Dvernichuk (Regina, SK), the Huskies responded well, dominating the opening period by outshooting the Tommies 15-2.
The Tommies quick start would be the only offense generated in the period. After scoring on their first shot attempt, they wouldn't record a shot the rest of the period. The Huskies dominated the offensive zone, testing STU goaltender Caroline Pietroski (Etobicoke, ON) with a cross-crease pass that was turned around with the pad. Pietroski kept the Tommies in the lead for the entire first period, making multiple big saves - the biggest coming off a turnover in the defensive zone, where Pietroski shut the door. STU would head into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.
Despite the time in their defensive end, the Tommies were still able to help out their goaltender, blocking plenty of shots.
It wasn't long after the break that the Huskies found the back of the net for the first time, as Maddy Corbett (Sydney, NS) riffled a slap shot from the point, beating Pietroski's glove in the top left corner 24 seconds into the period. It would be the first of four in the next 10 minutes for SMU, as less than five minutes later while killing a penalty, Eve LeBlanc (Petit-Rocher, NB) buried a rebound off the rush for her first goal of the season. The offense didn't stop, as SMU found the back of the net twice with goals coming from Kate Gallant (Brooklin, ON) and Shae Demale (Red Deer, AB).
STU would cut the lead in half late in the period from a Claire Nimegeers (Wilcox, SK) generated chance, centering the puck off a neutral zone takeaway, as Erin Arsenault (Oakville, ON) buried it past the goal line.
STU wasn't able to generate any offense in the final period, as SMU came away with the victory.
Pietroski stopped 30 of 34 shots while Huskies' goaltender Sophie Scully (Ottawa, ON) made 16 saves on 18 shots.
Tommies' assistant coach Geneviève David said STU needs to be consistent for 60 minutes to find more wins.
"When we play the way we know we can play we can dominate and do very well," she said.
The Tommies are back in action tomorrow night at the Grant-Harvey Centre against the Mount Allison University Mounties while the Huskies will stay in Fredericton to take on the University of New Brunswick Reds the same day.