Axemen down Tommies in exhibition play

In AUS exhibition hockey action tonight from Wolfville, the Acadia Axemen defeated STU 4 - 2.  Justin Collier got his first start in goal since his victory against St-FX back on November 12th and Sebastien Bernier played his first game for St. Thomas.

Chris Owens scored the only goal of the first period on the powerplay.  Acadia would score 2 more goals in the second frame at 10:04 and 16:30 to make it 3 to 0 heading to the third.

In the final period Jordan Scott, unassisted, took advantage of the Acadia goaltender's miscue to cut the lead early in the third.  Liam Heelis would score on the PP at 10:57 to restore the 3 goal lead but Chris Morehouse would get his first as a Tommie on the powerplay with the assists to Gallant and Bernier.   STU pulled Collier in the final minute of the game but could not get any closer.

Final shots were 35 - 24 in favor of Acadia.  BOX SCORE.  STU will return home and play U de M on Monday night, 7 PM at the LBR.

D-Man added to Tommies roster for charge to playoffs

Sebastien Bernier - Courtesy QMJHL

After a long year of waiting on the sidelines, defenseman Sebastien Bernier will finally be playing for the Tommies this coming Friday night against Acadia in Wolfville.

Originally from Lac Saint-Charles, QC this well travelled D-man last played for 3L du Riviere-du-Loup of the LNAH until December of 2010.  Previous to this, Bernier played for the Castors d'Avignon of the French Division 1 League and the Matane Castors of the LHSEQ.

In the junior ranks Sebastien played for 7 teams in his 4 year QMJHL career.  His best year being his overage one where he totaled 52 points between Gatineau and Rimouski in 2007-08.

When Chris Van Laren returns to the line-up against Dalhousie on January 6th, it will give STU 8 D-men and if everyone is healthy, the possibility of a full roster plus one.  Bernier is expected to be very similar in style to rookie Felix Poulin.  With the season Poulin is having lets hope the comparison is an apt one.

Welcome aboard Sebastien! 

St. Thomas & City agree on recreation deal

The City of Fredericton and St. Thomas University are in the final stages of signing a new 20 year recreation deal that will see the two identities partner on the new south side arena and sports field.

The deal will see STU contribute $140,000 to the new Scotiabank South sports field (Soccer & rugby), as well as their reported 1.5 million dollar investment in the Grant*Harvey Centre (Ice Hockey).  Also included is a sports advertising agreement between the two parties. (Information via The Daily Gleaner)

Tommies first half review

December 24th Update: It is really beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Fredericton after a small snow storm pushed through yesterday and left us with a beautiful white blanket of the fluffy stuff.  We hope everyone is in the festive spirit and would like to wish a very Merry Christmas to everyone and a joyous/prosperous New Year.

Thank you very much to Coach Ryan and Bissonnette for allowing us to post this first half review.  Thank you as well to Captain Matt Eagles for contributing to it and Harold DeCourcey for his behind the scene work with the Friends of STU Hockey.  It is very much appreciated. I also want to thank our rookie players this year for choosing St. Thomas University, you won't be disappointed with your decision.

"It is important to establish, understand, and enjoy the process before we can expect success. Winning just doesn’t happen and learning to win just doesn’t happen. Sometimes these successes arise from hard times." Coach Troy Ryan

"The team has shown tremendous tenacity and the “NO QUIT” mentality that define what the Tommies are about during the first half." Coach Eric Bissonnette

"We play for each other, we play hard, and we have fun. Coach Ryan has done a great job of not only preparing us for our opponents, but also nurturing our team chemistry and spirit." Captain Matt Eagles

MEN'S TOMMIES FIRST HALF REVIEW

Daily Gleaner: Tommies making strides

Grant-Harvey Centre update

Grant-Harvey Centre front view

The Grant*Harvey Centre construction is in full swing now and contrary to many published reports of a March or April opening, a June completion date is probably what we are going to see.

Work is coming along nicely now as the roof is completed or nearly complete, exterior cladding is being installed quickly, and interior work is really starting to take off.

The state of the art facility is going to be a great new home for our men's and women's hockey teams.

Take a look through the recent photos and check out the progress to November 24th.



THE AQUINIAN - Grant-Harvey Centre set to open in April 2012

STU Athletics - Artist renditions of completed Grant-Harvey Centre PHOTOS

Squirrels trump Tommies in overtime

Chasing down the puck.  Courtesy Dylan Buell

The final Battle of the Hill 2011editon is in the books.  It saw UNB eek out an overtime victory against the visiting Tommies at the AUC.  STU was heavily out shot 43 - 16 but were able to stick to the game plan for the entire 60 minutes plus.

UNB opened the scoring in the first period when Diane Todd snapped one past Charles Lavigne in the STU net.  The Tommies generated few chances in the opening frame and were out shot 14 - 3.

Stephen Sanza (Cameron) would tie things up at 7:22 of the second when he raced down the right side and sniped one past Travis Fullerton.  UNB would surge ahead at 16:14.  The goal is recorded as being shorthanded but it came just as a STU penalty expired and the Tommies were starting a PP.  Bryan Main had just stepped onto the ice from the penalty box, so unofficially it was a 4 on 4.  The Squirrels pounded Charles Lavigne with 21 shots in the second and mounted several long periods of sustained pressure in the St. Thomas end.

The tying goal.  Courtesy Dylan Buell

The third had the Tommies tie the game at 4:37 off the stick of Randy Cameron (Reich, Sanza).  According to the referee, the puck just went over the goal line after sneaking by the UNB net minder.  The goal light did not come on and the Squirrels were not impressed with the call but the goal stood.

St. Thomas would have several power plays late in the third period, including a long 5 on 3, but UNB held on to force overtime.  Travis Fullerton made a larcenous save with under a minute to go and bailed his Squirrel team mates out.

The overtime didn't last long as UNB controlled the play in the STU end but the winning goal was flukey, as it went past Lavigne, after hitting a Tommies d-man's leg.  The winner was scored at 1:54 of the extra frame.

Even though Lavigne made 40 saves on the night, he wasn't even awarded a star of the game honour.  He was first STAR in our books with #2 to Steve Sanza and #3 to Randy Cameron.

That wraps up the first half and when the second half resumes we hope Matt Eagles, Christian Morin, and Alex Labonte will be healthy enough to resume playing.  We are also looking forward to the return of Chris Van Laren from suspension, as well as adding Sebastian Bernier to the line-up.  Maybe if we are lucky, Coach Ryan will land another player to add as well.