Strong goaltending and hard work lead to successful weekend at home
The women’s hockey team played their best home games of the season this past weeking, racking up wins against Mount Allison and Dalhousie with scores of 3-1 and 2-1.
In Friday’s game against Mount A, the Tommies offensive attack started out strong in the first period and would be rewarded with an early goal by Amy Kelbaugh. Then, with under two minutes remaining in the frame, Andrea Fischer scored to take 2-0 lead-giving the Tommies all of the momentum heading to the dressing.
The Tommies two goal lead was held in tack for nearly half of the second period. But, with almost eight minutes gone on the clock, Mount A scored, cutting the Tommies’ lead to one.
Mount A’s comeback effort would be halted two and a half minutes later, when Captain Dominique Bernier tipped in a point shot on the power play to give the Tommies a 3-1 lead.
Compared to the first period, where the shots were 14-11 in favour of the Tommies, both teams played more conservatively in the second. The Tommies managed just five shots, while Mount A put only four pucks on goal.
Mount A would be the more dominant team in the third period, outshooting the Tommies 15-3 and threatening to make a late comeback. But Tommies’ goalie Julia Sharun stood on her head.
“I like getting a lot of shots,” said Sharun. “And the defense was clearing the puck so I was able to see the shots.”
With less than five minutes remaining Sharun had to make a flurry of saves as Mount A pressured for two late goals. She was up to the challenge, doing her part(and then some) to help the Tommies bank two more points on the season.
Friday’s game against Dalhousie would prove to be more challenging for the Tommies. Heading into the second period, the Tommies trailed 1-0. They had several chances, especially in the final few minutes of the period to tie the game. But Dalhousie’s Ashley Boutillier was playing brilliantly in goal.
Because of their short bench, the third period has not been the Tommies’ best throughout the season. But, on this night, the Tommies took control in the third.
Less than a minute into the frame, Andrea Fischer tied the score at one. After the goal, the Tommies pressed for another. For the first half of the period, the Tommies kept the play, mostly, in the Dalhousie zone but were unable to put the puck in the net.
With 5.8 seconds remaining in regulation time, Dalhousie was called for a controversial minor penalty. Heading into overtime, the Tommies were on the power play.
It took Tommies’ offensive powerhouse Kayla Blackmore less than a minute to score in overtime and win the game for the Tommies. Blackmore received the puck in the offensive zone and was able to inch her way towards the goal, before firing the puck through the goalie’s five- hole.
“To be honest, I don’t even know what happened,” says Blackmore. “Domi [Bernier] was telling me to walk in…and the five-hole was open.”
With the win, the Tommies are now 5-4-1. A great accomplishment considering that the team is short on players. Veteran defenseman Lukie Nussbaum says that the small group has created a lot of good chemistry in the dressing room.
“We don’t have many players, so it’s easier to become closer. We have a lot of fun. We’re proud to be a part of this team.”
