Lady Tommies - Looking forward to the regular season

With the exhibition season in the books for the Lady Tommies I figured it was time to dissect the figures and perhaps get an idea of what we can look forward to when the regular season begins on October 13 versus U de M.

Forwards:  I took a little slack for the calling the 2011-2012 Tommies offense “anemic” a few weeks back but the facts don’t lie folks, they had the second worst offense in the league.  It won’t happen again this year.  The top line of Francis, Blackmore, and Marcelline led the team in points in the five preseason games with 18.  Kayla Blackmore had 4 goals and 4 assists; Emily Francis had 2 goals and 4 assists, while Kenya Marcelline had 2 goals and 2 assists.  Its early, this line is only going to get better.  When the two rookies settle in and get to know each other a little better, get to know the league, and what each other is capable of….look out.  Blackmore is a proven star in the AUS and her presence is going to be a stabilizing factor on all the Tommies.  

The second line for the Tommies didn’t register a point in five games played.  The newly dubbed 3M line of Cassidy McTaggart, Dani Miller, and Erin MacIsaac will get their points too, they just didn’t connect early on.  They had their chances but I’ll give them points for something else.  They have size.  They cause turnovers.  They exhaust the opposing teams D and the other Tommie lines benefit because of it.  This very well may be the most important line on the ice every single night if they don’t record a point all season.  Between McTaggart and Miller you have almost 12 feet of western grit that will ware down the best defenses in the AUS, add in some Nova Scotia speed and this line will get points this season…. sometimes after they have hit the bench and the next line after them scores because of them.

The third line is comprised of Kelty Apperson, Katie Brewster, and Emily Ryan.  These kids clicked almost from the start.  Over the course of five games this line had 11 points.  All three of these ladies posses speed and have some pretty good mitts.  If one or two doesn’t get ya, number three will.  This line is smooth and there are going to be some pretty goals coming from Nova Saskatchewan.

There has never been a time that anyone could discuss a fourth line on the Tommies.  That’s not the way it is this year.  You really don’t look for offensive production from your fourth line but in five games they had 3 goals and 3 assists.  Not too shabby.  Jordan Miller, Stephanie Gates, and Chelsea Fiander give you everything night in and night out.  If your fourth line plays “even” every game, they have done their job.  If they chip in with a few points, bonus time.

St. Thomas’ defense had three assists over the exhibition schedule with Jenna Scott, Amy Duffield, and Caley Stienert all getting one.  The D will be sound and put up a few points here and there but more importantly will help keep points away from the other teams.  Eliza Snider, Courtney Fox, Amanda Burns, and Paige MacDonald will all help in the stingy defense that minimize any threat on the goalies.

Our goalies…the last line…the larcenous masked women.  In five games they had a combined 1.58 GAA and went a combined 4 – 0 – 1, including a shut out.  Julia Sharun had a sterling 1.33 GAA and Kristin Wolfe wasn’t too far behind with a 1.95 GAA.  The goalies have always been there over the last couple of years to bail out the Tommies in times of need but maybe this year they won’t be leaned on quite as much.  Will the reduced number of shots bother them?  I doubt it, look for both of them to be the solid walls they have always been.

Good luck to our Lady Tommies in 2012-2013.  It’s going to be a banner year. #TommiesPride