Huskies open season with offensive explosion in 8-1 win over Tigers

HALIFAX, NS - The Saint Mary's Huskies opened the 2023-24 Atlantic University Sport season with a commanding 8-1 win over their crosstown rivals the Dalhousie Tigers on Friday night in Halifax.

An early Huskies powerplay would result in the opening goal of the game for the home team, as defenceman Ben Roger's (Markham, ON) shot was stopped by Tigers goaltender Alexander MacDonald (Truro, NS), but forward Ben Allison (Halifax, NS) was able to collect the rebound and snipe a shot under the post for the first year's first career AUS regular season goal.

The early goal had the Dauphinee Centre fans buzzing, and Allison nearly scored again, but a busy Alexander MacDonald made the save to keep the Tigers deficit to 1-0 early.

The Tigers also had several quality scoring chances through the first period, but Huskies goaltender Jeremy Helvig (Kingston, ON) made some quality stops, and Saint Mary's would take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

In the second period, the Huskies nearly doubled their lead early, but forward Nathan Dunkley (Campbellford, ON) rang a shot off the crossbar.

Several moments later, the Huskies would break through for their second goal, with a trio of new Huskies combining for the goal – forward Thomas Casey (Charlottetown, PEI) turned and played a great pass onto the tape of first year forward Jake Uberti (Toronto, ON) who roofed it past MacDonald to put the home team up 2-0. First year forward Declan McDonnell (Buffalo, NY) was credited with the second assist, with the goal marking the first point as a Husky for all three of Uberti, Casey and McDonnell.

The Huskies received another powerplay opportunity seven minutes into the second period, and were able to capitalize once again, as defenceman Dennis Busby (Oro-Medonte, ON), took a pass from partner Jaxon Bellamy (Hampton, NB), and wired a wrist shot top corner for his first of the season, giving the hosts a 3-0 advantage.

The Tigers pressed to cut into the Huskies lead, but Helvig continued his outstanding play, making back-to-back saves on Dalhousie's Jackson van de Leest (Kelowna, BC) and Liam Peyton (Halifax, NS) to keep the visitors off the scoreboard.

With just over five minutes remaining in the second period, another Huskies newcomer would open his account, as Declan McDonnell broke out on a two-on-one and slid a pass onto the stick of Thomas Casey for his first goal as a Husky. Huskies defenceman Connor Olson (London, ON) was credited with the second assist, as Saint Mary's took a 4-0 lead.

The Huskies second period offensive explosion would strike once more, as defenceman Justin MacPherson (East Gwillimbury, ON) played a stretch pass off the boards and onto the stick of Jake Uberti, who came in and finished past MacDonald for his second of the night, giving the Huskies a 5-0 lead with 3:23 remaining in the second period, which would remain heading into the second intermission.

The Tigers would break the shutout midway through the third period, as forward Ryan Smith (Bala, ON) made a nice pass to forward Alec Belanger (Quebec, QC) on a two-on-one break, and Belanger one-timed a wrist shot past Helvig to cut the score to 5-1.

The Huskies newcomer line continued their phenomenal first home game as Declan McDonnell scored a beauty on a shorthanded breakaway, assisted by Thomas Casey, to extend the Saint Mary's lead to 6-1.

Saint Mary's would score twice more before the night was over, with forwards Charlie Dafonseca (Thornhill, ON) and Ben Boyd (Dartmouth, NS), both getting in on the party, as the Huskies offensive explosion gave them an 8-1 victory.

Saint Mary's outshot Dalhousie 46-29 on the night, with Jeremy Helvig stopping 28 shots for the win, while Tigers goaltender Alexander MacDonald made 38 saves in defeat.

Huskies forward Declan McDonnell (Buffalo, NY) was named Player of the Game with one goal and three assists in his first career AUS regular season game. The Huskies 'newcomer line' of McDonnell, Casey and Uberti combined for four goals and six assists in their first game at the Dauphinee Centre.

The Huskies win gave them a 1-0-0 record to begin the 2023-24 AUS season. Saint Mary's will be back in action on Saturday night, as they visit the St.FX X-Men (1-0-0) at 7 p.m. in Antigonish, NS.

The Tigers loss gives them a 0-1-0 record to begin the campaign. Dalhousie will also be back in action on Saturday night, hosting the Acadia Axemen (0-1-0) at 7 p.m. at the Halifax Forum.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics