Tommies win at Grant-Harvey Centre debut

The Lady Tommies proved they could make a great exit last winter when they finished off their time at the LBR with a win and they proved they could make a great entrance as well, defeating the U de M Aigles Bleues 4 to 2 this afternoon in front of 450 fans at the new Grant-Harvey Centre.

Emily Francis gets her first goal as a Tommie
Courtesy Dylan Buell

After Danny Grant and the widow of Buster Harvey dropped the ceremonial first puck, you knew the Tommies were going to come out looking to be the first on the board.  Dani Miller had a great opportunity in the first 7 minutes of the game on a breakaway but the Moncton keeper stymied the chance, making a good save.

The first goal in STU Tommies GHC hockey history would be scored at 11:36 of the first period when Katie Brewster found herself all alone in front of the Moncton net and buried a beauty wrister for a 1 - 0 lead.  After the unassisted goal Brewster raced to the STU bench and launched herself into the waiting embrace of her teammates.  The new home for St. Thomas Hockey was christened by a Tommie and we couldn't be happier for Katie and all of our hockey players.

Brewster's goal would stand for the rest of the period and the Tommies would take the 1 - 0 lead into the intermission.  Shots were even at 10 - 10.

Kayla Blackmoe celebrates her first goal at GHC.
Courtesy Dylan Buell

Moncton would get a powerplay opportunity early on and would capitalize on it when Genevieve David wired a slap shot past a helpless Julia Sharun in the STU net with one second left on the PP at 8:36.  A bewildered Tommies team almost appeared to fall asleep and Danielle Eustache would put Moncton up a goal 27 seconds later at 9:03.

The second U de M goal woke the Tommies up, quickly.  Dani Miller - denied on a breakaway in the first - would score for STU at 9:29 to tie the game again.  Three goals in fifty-three seconds.  Newcomer Emily Francis would muck home a goal at 16:30 from Kayla Blackmore and then return the  favour by setting up Blackmore with 1.2 seconds left in the period.  Kenya Marcelline also drew a helper.  The Tommies would take the  4 - 2 lead into the third period with the shots even at 18 for both teams.

A real good game.
Courtesy Dylan Buell

In the final frame the Tommies would get out shot 7 to 4 but Julia Sharun stood tall in the STU net for a big win over Les Aigles.

So the answer to future trivia questions about STU's first game at the GHC are Katie Brewster and 4 - 2 win over U de M.

The Ladies are back at it tomorrow afternoon at 2 PM when they host the Mount Alison Mounties.

CIS Box Score