Tommies Erupt for 5 Goals Against Mounties

--- Sean Crocker, STU BA '20 ---

The St. Thomas University Tommies topped the Mount Allison Mounties 5-1 in AUS women's hockey action Saturday evening at the Grant Harvey Centre.

The Tommies wasted no time getting on the board when Kaylee Vader found daylight and put the puck in the back of the net off the skate of Mounties goaltender, Bianca Zak. 

They did not let up there, as 2:05 after Vader broke the deadlock, Megan Pardy scored on a redirected shot from Brooke Stanford while shorthanded. 

The Tommies snapped a two game skid on the day and Head Coach Peter Murphy was pleased with how his team turned their play around.

"We had the same kind of problem where we didn't have as sharp of games near the end," said Murphy. "It's different for us playing 28 games and a bunch in the front half."

The Mounties struck back just two minutes later on a mad scramble in front of the Tommies net where Nicole Wong found the loose puck and buried it past an unsuspecting Marandee Hunter. 

St. Thomas struck back when Olivia Reid found the twine twice in the frame just three minutes apart with one on the powerplay to give the Tommies a commanding 4-1 lead heading into the third period. 

"They've been getting the same type of scoring chances all year," said Murphy. "We've been tracking our scoring in practice and sometimes the puck just bounces your way."

Mariah Carey added an early third period marker to round out the scoring, putting the Tommies on their way to a 5-1 victory.

Emma Wilson had a pair of assists on the game, just one game following her first goal as a Tommie, and rookie support will be vital for this team. 

"When you have seven rookies, it's very important they contribute," said Murphy. "Putting points up are very important and we've been pleased with the production we're getting from them."

Marandee Hunter reeled in 19 saves on 20 shots en route to the victory, while Bianca Zak for the Mounties recorded 21 saves on 26 shots, allowing five goals on the night. 

The Tommies are back in action this Wednesday evening when they play host to the UNB reds in the latest instalment of the Battle of the Hill at 7:00pm at the Grant Harvey Centre.