The Tommies' playoff hopes may have been squashed on Wednesday night, but their competitive fire has not been doused, as STU won back to back games for the first time this season, defeating the Dalhousie Tigers 5-3 at the LBR tonight. The Tommies entered the match 3 points up on the visiting Tigers in the battle to avoid last place in the AUS. Tommie Pride surely played a part in the team's strong play this weekend, with the win setting up a rematch next Saturday night in Halifax.
Justin Roy opened the scoring for STU at 7:48 of the first, with a wrist shot goal beating Dal's starter Josh Disher off a 2-on-1 break. The Tommies failed to convert on a 3 1/2 minute powerplay though, and Trevor Mackenzie skated from his own blueline to score on Ben MacFarlane to even things up at a goal apiece. STU would get their lead back just 50 seconds later on a nifty passing play from Maxim Chamberland in the corner to Corey Banfield who found Ryan Lehr jumping into the play off the point to score into the open net. The Tommies outshot the Tigers 14-10 in the opening frame.
The second period opened with Wesley Welcher firing a laser beam slapshot past Disher at 1:53. At 5:46 Corey Banfield was alone in front to end Disher's night with a goal between the pads. Chris Wall got the call in goal to try and reverse Dalhousie's fortunes. Patrick Sweeney's wrist shot went off a Tommie defender and onto the stick of Chad McCaffrey who forced the puck past MacFarlane to narrow the STU lead to 4-2 at 11:54. At 14:23, the Tigers pulled back to within a goal as Kenzie Sheppard's centering pass bounced off a Tommie defender to make it 4-3. Dalhousie outshot St. Thomas 13-10 in the second period.
The Tommies would find the net one more time on this night, as Devan Praught beat Wall for the insurance marker at 15:50 with a good wrist shot. Dal coach Pete Belliveau pulled Wall for an extra attacker with under 2 minutes to play, and Andrew Estey took a slashing call with 1:09 to play, but the Tigers couldn't capitalize despite the 6-to-4 skater advantage, and STU held on for the 5-3 win.
Corey Banfield was named the Tommies' player of the game with his one goal / two assist performance, while Maxim Chamberland took second star honours with 3 assists. HCH AUS Roundupand DG: Green machine
What a great weekend two wins in a row and 4 points.Wes Welcher would have been a star in my books as well.I wish the season could go on forever. Jason Cassidy is sure reminding me of one other former Tommie{Jason Sands}.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in Nova Scotia next weekend. Can"t wait to see Moncton on the 11.
OIL Slick
I did some research, this is the first 4 point weekend for the boys since January 4th and 5th of 2008, so almost 13 months without having a 4 pointer. They were just so common in my rookie season and 2nd season that its a special time when they actually get to it. I would not be surprised if the boys actually reach 20 points this season to salvage whatever they have left to make this season decent
ReplyDelete~Tommies Video Guy~
That would be great if they reached 20 points. It's too bad they did not start out like this.
ReplyDeleteOilSlick