Game Day - Tommies vs. Huskies

Here are a few things you should know about today's playoff game between the SMU Huskies and STU Tommies.

Game time 3PM.  Live on AUSTV at www.austv.ca 

The Tommies were 3 and 1 versus the Huskies in the regular season but all the games were very close. STU won the first match up at Alumni Arena in overtime 2 to 1.  

The next game at the Grant-Harvey Centre STU won 3 - 2. The Tommies had been up 3 to 0 before the Huskies roared back with 2 third period markers to make it close.

The Tommies would find themselves up 2 to 0 going into the third period of their third regular season game before the Huskies scored 3 goals in the final period for a 3 to 2 win.  It was the first loss of a three game losing streak, the longest of the season for STU. 

The final game at the GHC was a 2 - 0 win with Julia Sharun playing lights out to preserve the victory.  

Bottom line, don't take the Huskies mildly, this team is for real.  Just ask Moncton and ST-FX, who's only loss this season was to SMU.

Wants some keys to the game?

Watch the referee. He/she will control the setting this afternoon.  SMU grew in size this year and they like to take liberties when throwing the body.  They had the most PIM's in the league this year by a wide margin and for good reason, they play on the edge. (269 minutes for SMU.  198 for UPEI)  

The Tommies can't get pushed around but they can't retaliate and get out of position either.  Our western Tommies like McTaggart, Miller, and Apperson are going to have to stand their ground and make the right plays while counter acting SMU's rough stuff.

Saint Mary's powerplay was second in the league but was really average, being marginally better than Moncton, UPEI, and MTA.  Penalty kill, the same thing, very good but average in the league.  Here is the rub.  STU's PK and PP absolutely suck.  Our PP is the worst by far and our PK isn't far off from the bottom.  Special teams could burn us badly - if the stats are telling the truth - so keep it 5 on 5 and we will win.

SMU has a hard time scoring.  Keep them to the outside and keep them off the powerplay.  The Tommies have to roll their lines 5 on 5 and the top two lines have to produce.  The third line needs to contribute a goal and bring the toughness and the fourth line has to play even.  I don't have to tell you what Sharun has to do and as sure as the sun will rise, so will Julia.  

Here are the team stats from the AUS so you can make your own decisions. 

GO TOMMIES GO