Tigers drop first game of the season

Courtesy of Robert Johnson

The St. Thomas Tommies defeated the Dalhousie Tigers 2-0 in their season opener Saturday afternoon at the Grant-Harvey Centre.

Tommies netminder Abby Clarke, who went 6-7 last year, got off to a great start this season with a 25-save shutout.

The first period was an even match between the Tigers and the Tommies, with each team coming out strong. Both squads had two power plays apiece, but were unable to get anything past goaltenders Clarke and Mati Barrett.

The opening period ended scoreless with the Tommies outshooting the Tigers 13-8.

Dalhousie started the second off with a penalty for too many players on the ice, which led to the Tommies third power play of the game.

Just as the penalty expired Teah Anderson scored the Tommies first goal of the season assisted by Myfanwy Thomson and Marina Sergina.

St. Thomas started the third period with two straight penalties, but once again Clarke kept the Tigers off the scoreboard.  Dalhousie would finish the afternoon 0-6 on the power play.

The Tigers outshot the Tommies 10-5 in the period, and had ample of opportunities to tie the game, but couldn't capitalize on their scoring chances.

It wasn't until Lauren Henman scored on an individual rush with a minute to go that the Tommies could finally sit back and relax.

The game's three stars were awarded to Clarke, Barrett and Anderson.

St. Thomas is back in action when they host to the Saint Mary Huskies tomorrow at 2:00 pm, while the Tigers head to Moncton, also at 2:00pm.