Sunday 27 November 2011

Moncton upends STU

The Tommies head to the Christmas break with 9 points and 5th position after they dropped their final game of the first half 7 - 3 to U de M.  Kayla Blackmore continued her strong weekend with 2 more goals after a 4 point game against Dalhousie on Saturday.

The Tommies came out hard on Sunday afternoon and dominated Moncton early on, out shooting Les Aigles 10 - 1 in the first eleven minutes of the game.  Cassidy McTaggart (Fox, Critch) would get STU on the board first at 2:24 when she banged home a Courtney Fox pass from the side of the net.  U de M's first shot was their first goal at 5:59 on the PP but Kayla Blackmore (Burns, Scott) scored on a breakaway at 7:34 to retake the lead.  Unfortunately it wouldn't last, as Moncton would score 3 more times in the last 4 minutes of the period.  Shots were 12 to 10 for STU in the first.

U de M would chase starting goaltender Julia Sharun in the second period, scoring 2 goals in the first 3:30 of the period for a 6 to 2 lead.  Kristen Wolfe would come in and only allow one goal at 4:47 of the third period before Kayla Blackmore, with her second of the game, scored at 7:53.  Final shots on goal were 36 to 27 in favor of St. Thomas.  Daily Gleaner: Blackmore solid but STU settles for split

Saturday 26 November 2011

Tommies come from behind to down Tigers

With fifth place on the line tonight at the LBR, the Lady Tommies came back from a 2 - 0 first period deficit to win 4 - 3.  Captain Kayla Blackmore had four points and was named player of the game.

The Tigers scored at 11:18 and 17:05 of the first to take the early lead.  Katie Brewster (Blackmore, D. Miller) scored with 47 seconds left in the period to trim the margin. STU led in shots 10 - 9.

Kayla Blackmore would score a beauty breakaway goal at 2:50 of the second period on a perfect break out pass from Courtney Fox.  Dalhousie would regain the lead on an easy tap in at 11:03.  The Tigers would hold on and take the 3 - 2 advantage to the third period.  Shots were 14 - 4 for STU.

With the Tommies holding the edge in play, it only took until the 3:35 mark before Dani Miller (Blackmore) tied the game.  The game winning goal saw Blackmore race down the right wing and snap the  winner past Brittany McMacken on the short side.  The Tommies would hold on for the victory but in the final few seconds of the game, with the extra attacker on for Dal, the Tigers slid one just past the post.  Final shots were 32 to 28 for the Tommies.

The win puts St. Thomas two points up on the Tigers and in 4th spot in the AUS.  The Tommies are home tomorrow afternoon at 2 PM against U de M.

Friday 25 November 2011

What the hell just happened?

One Happy Squirrel
I don't know for sure but I think 24 or so Squirrels just kicked me in the who-ha.  My stomach aches, I am a little woozy, and I can't see straight.  Yes, I have concluded that I was kicked in the who-ha.

On the strength of 4 shorthanded goals in the the third period (Yes four, don't make me repeat it) UNB wiped out a 3 goal deficit to defeat a STUnned Tommies team.

The STU goals were scored by Jonathan Bonneau (Poulin, Chermetiev) with a beauty, Steve Sanza (Zandbeek, Poulin), and Mike Reich (Poulin, Zandbeek) on the PP.  The Tommies held a 2 - 0 lead after the first and a 3 goal lead after the second.

Missed opportunity at 3 -3. Courtesy Dylan Buell
The rest will live in infamy.

Thursday 24 November 2011

UNB. Friday night.

It's our first game of the season against cross campus rivals UNB on Friday night. The Squirrels are in first place and will be looking to do...well...what they normally do to STU - Kick the snott out of us. No word if Captain Matt Eagles or Alex Labonte will be in the line-up after each of them left games early against PEI and Moncton respectively this past weekend.

Daily Gleaner - Tommies looking for Gallant effort

The Journal Pioneer - Gallant having good run with Tommies

Daily Gleaner - It could be time for the Tommies Bruce Hallihan's column. (No jinx, fingers crossed, rabbit's foot and lucky clovers ready to go)

Daily Gleaner - If there was ever a time Bill Hunt column.  In his column Bill mentions the last time STU defeated UNB, October 26th, 2006.  I still have the Daily Gleaner from the next day.  Always meant to recycle it but held onto it for some reason, tucked away under my desk.  "Tommies topple V-Reds" it says under a picture of Justin Bowers shooting a backhander at Squirrels Jesse Ferguson and Reg Bourcier in the UNB net.  As the years went by I couldn't part with it. I hope the Tommies find a way to help me put this 5 + year old paper in the grey box.

Lady Tommies at home vs. Dalhousie & Moncton

The St. Thomas Tommies finish off the first half of the AUS schedule with a Saturday evening game vs. Dalhousie and Sunday afternoon tilt against U de M.  The Tommies are are currently tied for 5th in the league with the Tigers, each with 7 points.

On Sunday STU will host their inter-provincial rival U de M.  St. Thomas is looking for a little pay back after a 5 - 0 white washing in Moncton's home barn back in October.  Captain Kayla Blackmore had this to say about Moncton in today's Daily Gleaner,
"I think the biggest thing with them is we try to catch them in their transition game," said the captain. "Moncton is the kind of team that likes to jump on the turnovers we create and they go back hard the other way. We're really focusing on our transitioning in preparation from offence to defence and defence to offence."
Daily Gleaner: Blackmore bouncing back

Please make note that the Lady Tommies will be raising money in support of Movember on Saturday night and will be accepting non-perishable food items for the Fredericton Food Bank at both games.

Sunday 20 November 2011

Panthers scratch out 1 - 0 OT win over STU

The Lady Tommies dropped a tight game to the UPEI Panthers this afternoon in Charlottetown.  Amber Gaudette scored with 17 seconds left in the extra period.  Julia Sharun was great in net stopping 27 pucks, as UPEI out shot the Tommies 28 to 19.

The Tommies finish off the first half next weekend with two home games versus Dalhousie and Moncton.  The Tigers and Tommies currently sit tied for 5th in the AUS, each with 7 points.

Saturday 19 November 2011

Panthers double Tommies 6 - 3

A short staffed Tommies played to win this evening in Charlottetown but ended up on the wrong side of a 6 to 3 decision.  Alex Labonte, Erick Tremblay and Chris Van Laren did not suit up for STU.  Prince Edward Island native Randy Cameron scored all three goals for St. Thomas.

The Panthers scored two goals in the first period for a 2 - 0 lead, out shooting STU 11 - 6.

Randy Cameron (Andricopoulos, Morin) scored his first at 1:13 of the second period on the powerplay, riffling a bullet past Jhase Sniderman in the UPEI net.  Jarod Gomes responded 58 seconds later  giving UPEI a 3 - 1 lead.  Just over a minute later, with the Tommies back on the PP, Cameron took a great pass from Felix Poulin to shrink the lead to one.  Bryan Main had the other assist.  UPEI's Dana Fraser restored the two goal lead at 11:18 and Matt Carter, with a beauty, beat Charles Lavigne for a 5 to 2 advantage heading to the third.  Matt Eagles was knocked out of the game in the second period and did not return.

With only nine forwards and 5 defensemen, the Tommies looked a little overwhelmed by the Panthers early on in the third. To their credit they didn't quit and Randy Cameron completed the hat trick, his second one of the season, to shrink the lead to two goals with 5:30 to play.  Dana Fraser would get his second of the night in the last three minutes to cement the win for UPEI.

Tough weekend for the STU crew and they have until Friday night to mend any wounds, as arch rival UNB invade the Lady Beaverbrook Rink looking to continue their dominance of the Tommies.

Friday 18 November 2011

Tommies drop heartbreaker to Moncton

On the strength of a goal at 18:37 of the third period the U de M Aigles Bleus defeated St. Thomas 3 to 2 tonight at the LBR.  The Tommies hung with Moncton the entire game but were not able to find that extra goal in the third period for the win.

The first period saw 9 minor penalties called against both teams and it was the Tommies who struck first with the two man advantage.  Randy Cameron fired home a nice cross ice pass from Jonathan Bonneau and Felix Poulin for the first goal.  REPLAY  Alex Labonte, who would later leave the game with an unspecified injury, put STU up by two at 10:08 on the PP with an easy tap in off a rebound. REPLAY Jonathan Bonneau and Mike Reich picked up the assists.

U de M came right back at 10:51 on their own powerplay and would tie it up at 15:32 on another man advantage.  After the first period the Tommies out shot Moncton 12 - 7.

There was no scoring in the second period but U de M held the territorial advantage and led in shots 11 to 5.

The third period was a dead heat until late.  The Tommies had the potential to clear the zone but Marc-Andre Cote intercepted the puck and went in and fired one top shelf past a stunned Charles Lavigne.  STU would pull the goalie and Moncton would draw a penalty but to no avail, as U de M held on for the win.  Final shots favored STU 32 - 28.  Daily Gleaner: UdeM takes over top spot

St. Thomas still sits one point behind St-FX for the final play-off position, as the X-Men dropped a 4 to 1 decision to Saint Mary's.  The Tommies hit the road for the final time this half tomorrow night against UPEI.  The UPEI webcast is available HERE.

Thursday 17 November 2011

Felix-Antoine Poulin coming up big for STU

Felix Poulin -
STU Athletics
With 10 points in 10 games Felix-Antoine Poulin has started off at STU just as he left off in junior hockey, scoring at a point a game clip. He's been a big factor in STU's turn around this season but he is quick to point out in today's Daily Gleaner that it is a team effort.
"It's the whole team system," he said. "We have to realize that maybe we aren't the kind of team that each player can play for themselves, because maybe we don't be successful...It might sound boring, but the players know what they have to do and we're doing it well, and pretty much every night we have a good chance to win."
Daily Gleaner: Poulin making seamless step at STU

Come out and watch Felix and the rest of the Tommies take on inter-provincial rival Moncton tomorrow night in a big tilt. Game time is 7 PM at the LBR.

Wednesday 16 November 2011

Tombits

Getting back to center ice: Another excellent article by Tommie Chris Morehouse. Here is a little taste.
It’s been almost a full year since I arrived in Fredericton. Going to school while waiting to regain my eligibility – the hardest part of leaving pro – is almost over. With my shoulder almost 100 per cent, and my first game later this month, the excitement is building.

I am at a good place in my life. Being a student athlete has allowed me to appreciate my time at the rink and put life in perspective. I know my grandfather, a principal for more than 50 years, would be proud.

I’m hoping to combine my love for the game with a journalism degree. Reaching the pro hockey ranks in some way, shape, or form is still my goal.
Chris' first game back will be November 25th versus UNB. Aqunian article

Lavigne and Miller AotW at STU: Charles Lavigne and Jordan Miller were the athletes of the week at St. Thomas. This is the first time in a long time both recipients came from men's and women's hockey. STU Athletics article

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Tommies trump X-Men in shoot out

Tommies celebrate SO win - Courtesy Dylan Buell
With a full team effort the St. Thomas Tommies pulled out a dramatic 6 - 5 shootout win against St-FX. With the win the Tommies have matched last season's win total with three. They also sit 1 point behind the X-Men for the final playoff berth in the AUS.

Tonight's game was less than two minutes old when Coach Troy Ryan called a time out to settle his players before things could go wrong. His team responded. STU was first on the score sheet at 11:24 of the period when Andrew Andricopoulos (Sanza) pinched in from the point to score his second of the season. It was the only goal of the period as STU would take the 1 - 0 lead into the intermission.

Brad Gallant would get called for a 4 minute high sticking penalty at 4:05 of the second period but Steve Sanza would squeak one through the pads of Joseph Perricone on a break away to give STU a two goal lead and league leading 5th shorthanded goal of the season. X would capitalize on the same powerplay at 7:07 to cut the lead and would score again on the PP at the 19:00 minute mark to tie the game going into the third period.

In the final regulation period, the teams would combine to score 6 goals in a see-saw battle. Steve Sanza (Morin, Eagles) scored his second of the night at 1:22 but X responded at 3:11. Jonathan Bonnneau (Gallant) would pull the Tommies ahead again at 4:29 and once again X comes back with a goal at 7:59. Bryce Swan would get his second of the game to give the X-Men their first lead of the night at 12:22 but Robert Zandbeek (Andricopoulos, Bonneau) tied the game on the PP with 5 minutes left.

Shortly after the goal Bryce Swan was given a 5 minute major and a game misconduct for head contact on Mike Reich. The Tommies played out the third on the powerplay but could not get the winning goal.

Several penalties were called in overtime but both teams' penalty killing units were up to the task. After 70 mintues of play the game remained tied at 5's with STU outshooting the X-Men 35 - 30.

The shootout went six deep before it was decided. Jordan Scott would get the winner after Yuri Chermetiev, F-A Poulin, Jonathan Bonneau, Randy Cameron, and Steve Sanza all failed to score. Charles Lavigne was brilliant in the shootout foiling all six X shooters. Scott was named 1st star of the game with the winner and Steve Sanza with 3 points was named 3rd star. A big win indeed for STU. Watch the entire shootout HERE. (Thanks to Tommies TV and Randy Corey for the link)
In AUS women's play, the Lady Tommies defeated the SMU Huskies 4 - 2. The Tommies were down 2 - 0 after the first period but the line of Jordan Miller, Kayla Blackmore and Dani Miller did the damage in the comeback victory.

Jordan Miller had 2 goals and an assist, Dani Miller a goal and two assists and Kayla Blackmore a goal and three assists for St. Thomas. Julia Sharun picked up the win. The Tommies were 1 for 6 on the powerplay and 2 for 3 on the PK. Shots were 36 to 20 in favour of STU.

The Ladies take on St-FX tomorrow afternoon at 2 PM. The game will be webcast HERE.

Sunday 13 November 2011

X-Women handle Tommies 5 - 2

St. Thomas was defeated this afternoon 5 to 2 by the St-FX X-Women in Antigonish. The Tommies actually lead after the first period 2 to 1 on goals scored by Dani Miller (Brewster, Blackmore) and Katie Brewster (Boyle, Fox). Both were on the power play.

The second period was dominated by St-FX with the X-Women scoring 3 goals and out shooting STU 18 - 1.

In the third period the Tommies played better than the period before but could not edge any closer and allowed one more to X midway through the period. The PP was 2 for 6 and the PK was perfect, holding X without a goal on 6 opportunities.

Julia Sharun was tagged with the loss facing 49 shots. STU answered with 16. The Ladies will have one week off before heading to Charlottetown next Sunday to take on the UPEI Panthers

Friday 11 November 2011

Tommies fall to Huskies in OT

The Tommies earned a point this evening, losing 2 - 1 to the Saint Mary's Huskies before 742 fans at the LBR. STU played well against the Huskies but SMU dominated in the third and the Tommies were fortunate to force overtime.

Saint Mary's opened the scoring on the power play when 6'7" Justin Wallingford blasted a point shot past Charles Lavigne in the STU net. That goal would hold up until the third period as the Tommies out shot the Huskies 17 - 14 over the first two periods.

The Huskies dominated most of the play in the third period but Jonathan Bonneau received a perfect pass from Mike Reich and went in on a breakaway to score the tying goal at 16:02. The Tommies held on from there and forced overtime. Shots favoured SMU in the period 13 to 2.

The overtime didn't last long as Justin Wallingford got the puck deep in the STU end and did some fancy stick work before lifting a backhander past Lavigne for the winner at 1:47 of the extra frame.

With the OT point the Tommies move into sole possession of 7th place and remain 2 points behind St-FX for sixth, as the X-Men suffered a similar fate in overtime against Moncton losing 3 - 2. The X-Men will be the Tommies opponents tomorrow night at the LBR. 7 PM start time. Daily Gleaner: Wallingford comes up big

The Lady Tommies will be on the road in Halifax to face SMU on Saturday. The game starts at 7 PM. There is no webcast for this game. You can follow @SMUHuskies on Twitter for updates.

Thursday 10 November 2011

Tommies looking to improve records this weekend

The men are at home this weekend for two games versus the Saint Mary's Huskies and the St-FX X-Men. The Tommies have really leaned on goalie Charles Lavigne, who leads the league in shots faced, and he hasn't disappointed. The Daily Gleaner caught up with Charlie recently. Lavigne keeping his cool

In regard to Chris Van Laren's suspension, this is what Coach Ryan had to say in the article.
"I think Van Laren deserves the four-game suspension, and I don't believe, I don't think, the Moncton player deserves the four-game suspension," Ryan said.
So until we find out what the final decision is, that should just about end the debate.

The Lady Tommies head to Nova Scotia for two games versus SMU and St-FX. The X game will be webcast on SSN, I don't think there is anything from Halifax. I'll have the links, if and when they are available, on Saturday.

Wednesday 9 November 2011

Van Laren suspended for four games

Well it's official now, Chris Van Laren has received 4 games for the hit he delivered in Moncton on Saturday night to Les Aigles' Chris Gaudet.
Van Laren was given a match penalty for a hit he delivered to the head of Aigles Bleus forward Christian Gaudet. Quesnel came to Gaudet's defence after the hit and was handed a match penalty for slashing Van Laren.

Match penalties in the AUS carry automatic four-game suspensions.
Daily Gleaner "Tommies blueliner banished for four"

Moncton has appealed and is looking to get Van Laren's suspension increased and Qusnel's decreased. This is ridiculous. If Van Laren hit was high, he'll have to suffer the consequences. Fair is fair. I did see the hit but have not seen it again, so my opinion is based on 1 view. Gaudet got stood up at the Tommies blueline trying to enter the offensive zone, that is almost an impossible play to tell a defenseman not to make the hit.

As for Quesnel, he should get extra games for "intent to injure". The question I keep asking myself is why he goes after Van Laren with his stick, using it as a a weapon. Where is that in the hockey code? Where? If he challenged Van Laren to a fight or perhaps even tackled him, that I could understand and say you were sticking up for your team mate. Quesnel went too far, and lucky for Chris, didn't seriously injure him. Sticking up for your team mate is important but where do you draw the line?

(I wrote this the other day, see story below) I have personally seen a similar hit to that of Van Laren's two other times at the JLL. First time was in 2005 when Thatcher Bell of the Tommies was laid out by a Moncton player. Second time was the first game of the 2009 season and Wes Welcher was hit in the Tommies end of the ice, in a similar fashion by a Moncton defenseman, who had stepped up out of position looking for it. Wes sustained a concussion and separated shoulder on the play and had to be helped from the ice. No Tommie used a stick as a weapon in either case. My point being that hits are always going to happen, skate with your head up (as I was told in Moncton), but coming after a player with your hockey stick is not right. What ever Van Laren gets for a suspension then Quensel gets double for intent to injure. Just my green and gold two cents.

Sunday 6 November 2011

Tommies drop 4 to 2 decision against Moncton

I'm not really in the mood to write this tonight but I will say, as kindly as I can, another Tommies versus Aigles Bleus moment. Their wrong, we're wrong, everyone's wrong. Hope Chris Van Laren doesn't have a broken leg and Moncton players skate with their heads up....and sincerely hope all players, on both teams, are OK.

The game was tied 1 - 1 after the first, 2 - 2 after the second, and Moncton scored two powerplay goals in the third for the difference. Mike Reich and Jonathan Bonneau (Gallant, Labonte)scored for STU.

Charles Lavigne takes the tough loss in the net. Not sure what the final shots were but Moncton had the advantage because with 10 minutes left they were 28 to 18.

Times & Transcript: Aigles Bleus win, but Gaudet sidelined with injury

NOTE: A little clarification is needed on the following quotes from the article

The Moncton-St. Thomas game was marred by an incident late in the third period, when Aigles Bleus forward Christian Gaudet was hit in the head by Chris Van Laren of the Tommies.

Laren was given a major and match penalty. Gaudet stayed sprawled on the ice in a puddle of blood for a few minutes.

Van Laren hit Guadet at the Tommies blueline just seconds after Gaudet had dropped passed the puck. It looked like his shoulder made contact with his head but Gaudet hitting the ice probably hurt him as well.

Alex Quesnel of the Aigles Bleus also took a match penalty after going after Van Laren following the incident.

Quesnel did in fact go after Van Laren but after reading this most would assume he tackled him or approached him to fight. No, what happened was Van Laren went after the puck and when he touched it, the play was whistled for the penalty. Quesnel attacked him from behind and laid a brutal two handed slash to the back of Van Laren's leg. He went after him all right, with his stick.

I have personally seen that same sort of hit two other times at the JLL. First time was in 2005 when Thatcher Bell of the Tommies was laid out by a Moncton player. Second time was the first game of the 2009 season and Wes Welcher was hit in the Tommies end of the ice, in a similar fashion by a Moncton defenseman, who had stepped up out of position looking for it. Wes sustained a concussion and separated shoulder on the play and had to be helped from the ice. No Tommie used a stick as a weapon in either case. My point being that hits are always going to happen, skate with your head up (as I was told in Moncton), but coming after a player with your hockey stick is not right. What ever Van Laren gets for a suspension (if he is suspended) then Quensel gets double for intent to injure. Just my green and gold two cents.

X-Women slam Tommies 6 - 1

Lead by a 4 point performance by last years CIS Rookie of the Year Alex Normore, the St-FX X-Women humbled the Tommies 6 - 1 this afternoon at the LBR.

The X-Women raced out to a 3 - 0 lead by the nine minute mark of the first period before Erin MacIsaac scored on a pretty wrap around attempt for the Tommies. Cassidy McTaggart got the only assist.

The rest of the game was all X having period leads of 3-1, 4-1, and the final 6-1. Final shots were 52 - 18 for X. Julia Sharun was solid in the STU nets and made a few beautiful saves to keep STU close. The Ladies head on the road next weekend for one game against UPEI.

Daily Gleaner: Tommies women see it from both sides

Saturday 5 November 2011

Tommies move back into the win column

Powered by a a 4 point performance by returning Captain Kayla Blackmore, the St. Thomas Tommies defeated the SMU Huskies 7 to 1 this afternoon at the LBR.

Saint Mary's would score their first and only goal past Julia Sharun 59 seconds into the game off the stick of Cailyn Byers. STU replied at 14:10 on a second attempt goal by Renata Mastna to even things up. The teams headed into the second period tied at ones.

The Tommies would dominate the rest of the game but it took until 12:08 of the period for Cassidy McTaggart, with her first as a Tommie, to get their second goal and eventual game winner. Katie Brewster (Blackmore, D. Miller) and Carly Critch (Brewster, Blackmore), with her first, staked STU to a 4 - 1 lead after two periods.

St. Thomas pulled away in the third with three more goals scored by Dani Miller (Blackmore, Steinert), Kayla Blackmore (Brewster), and Cassidy McTaggart (unassisted) with her second of the game. Julia Sharun gets the win facing 23 shots. STU had 39.

The Tommies are back in action tomorrow afternoon against St-FX. The game will be live on Tommies TV.

Friday 4 November 2011

Tommies defeat Panthers for second win in a row

It has been a while since this has been reported but the St. Thomas Tommies have won 2 games in a row. Tonight a four goal third period helped them to a 6 - 3 victory over the UPEI Panthers.

Stephen Sanza (Poulin, Labonte) got the game off on the right foot for STU just 31 seconds in. It only took the Panthers 50 seconds to equalize as Chad Locke took a cross ice pass and buried it by Charles Lavigne. Shortly thereafter Coach Ryan pulled Lavigne from nets in favour of Justin Collier and had some stern words for our #1 goalie. It seems to have been enough and 38 seconds later Charlie was back in net.

STU would regain the lead on the powerplay at 18:05 off the stick of Jonathan Bonneau (Eagles, Poulin) but UPEI would tie it up with 14 seconds left in the period. Shots were in STU's favour 12 - 11.

The Tommies ran into penalty trouble in the second period and it proved to be the difference as Reggie Traccitto would score for the Panthers on a two man PP at 15:39. UPEI would take a one goal lead into the third being outshot in the second period 11 to 9.

With the Panthers clinging to the one goal lead and time ticking down the never quit Tommies responded. With a delayed penalty call against the Panthers, F-A Poulin found the extra attacker, Brad Gallant, all alone in front of the net. Gallant(Poulin, Eagles) made no mistake and tied the game for STU. The excited crowd at the LBR hardly had a chance to stop cheering when 10 seconds later Gallant (Scott, Bonneau) drove hard down the right wing and fired the go ahead goal past a bewildered Mavric Parks.

Brad Gallant's second of the game would prove to be the winner, as Robert Zandbeek (Van Laren, Gallant) at 18:48 and Steve Sanza (Main, Eagles) at 19:17 would both score into the empty net, to cement the big win.

Charles Lavigne was solid in the win facing 31 Panther shots for his first win of the season. The Tommies fired 31 shots the other way. Daily Gleaner: Gallant effort for Tommies, and another win too (Article states Lavigne was pulled for most of the 1st period, he was not. It was for less than a minute.)

STU heads to Moncton tomorrow night looking for a tough win in a tough barn against U de M. Moncton will be hungry after a hard fought 6 - 3 loss to the Squirrels tonight. Former Tommie Matt Davis has joined UNB and got the win for the Squirrels in his green goalie pads (tap of the stick to D.K on that squirrel bit). Tomorrow's game can be watched on the Moncton webcast HERE starting at 7 PM. GO TOMMIES GO

Thursday 3 November 2011

Tommies legend Walter "Bubsy" Mills passes away

It is with deep regret we mention the passing of Walter "Bubsy" Mills.  Walter was a multi sport athlete at St. Thomas when the university was located in Chatham and was a great hockey player.  He was inducted into the "Tommies Wall of Fame" in 2010.  We would like to offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends.  He will always be remembered as a great Tommie.
Walter “Bubsy” Mills was an integral part of athletics at St. Thomas in the 1950s. Ac­cording to the legendary Vance Toner, he was “a remarkable character who played what­ever you wanted played.” He was a talented two-way player in football as a fullback and linebacker and always left everything on the ice in a hockey game. Vance Toner recalled in a letter in 2003 one high school hockey game which ended in a tie and moved to sudden death overtime. “Bubsy implored me to ice his line and he promised to score immediately and end the contest. I started a fresher line. The next change was Bubsy’s line. Bubsy proceeded to the Fredericton bench and warned the players they could take off their skates, he was going to score immediately. From the face-off, he received the draw from the centre, made two evasive moves toward the goal and scored.” His first outing as a high school basketball player saw him named most valuable player at a tournament in Fredericton. Bubsy Mills was an all-round athlete who excelled at every sport which is why many said had he focused on one, he would easily have made a professional career. Source
Moncton Times and Transcript: Former STU Hockey player dies

Big weekend coming up for Tommies

The STU men's and women's hockey teams look to improve on their single victory seasons this weekend as they both play two games.

The men play UPEI on Friday night hoping to build off their big win against St-FX.  Randy Cameron, who scored 4 goals in that game, was named the Tommies male athlete of the week at STU for the effort.  Here is a Gleaner article on Randy talking about his big weekend. Friday night's game will be webcast on Tommies TV with Randy Corey and special guest commentator Chris Morehouse.  On Saturday the Tommies head to Moncton and take on the 5 and 1 Aigles Bleus.  You can watch the game live here HERE. (Yes Squirrel fans, same link for your game on Friday, copy away)

The Lady Tommies are home for both games and both will be on Tommies TV.  Opponents this weekend include the Saint Mary's Huskies (4 PM Saturday) and St-FX X-Women (2 PM Sunday).