Tigers top Tommies in shootout win

Photo courtesy of Shawn Murphy
Photo courtesy of Shawn Murphy

Source: St. Thomas Athletics

The St. Thomas Tommies earned one point in the Atlantic University Sport men's hockey standings after falling 1-0 to the Dalhousie Tigers in a shootout Saturday night at the Grant-Harvey Centre.

Tigers netminder Corbin Boes made 31 saves in the win for the Tigers, while Tyson Teichmann made 30 for the Tommies.

"We played 60 minutes and it's arguably one of the only times we've done that this year," Tommies head coach Kyle McAllister said after the game.  "The shots on goal were about 30 to 30, we're making progress at that end of the ice, but obviously it's disappointing to lose that way."

It was a scoreless first period, but not for lack of effort—each team had two power plays but neither could capitalize. The Tommies outshot the Tigers 13-10 in the frame.

The Tigers came out with pressure in the second, but Teichmann kept them at bay. At the other end, Corbin Boes came up big for the Tigers between the pipes, stopping three short-handed breakouts by the Tommies. Shots on goal in the period favoured the Tommies, 9-5.

"We came out hard on them and took advantage of the fact that they're on the road, but for some reason we can't get those bounces to go in the net," McAllister said.

"We just have to keep working through it and keep putting pucks on the net. We have to think it's going to come together at the right time."

The third saw both teams searching for the game-winner. The Tigers had a golden opportunity with just under four minutes to go, but Teichmann kept them off the board.

With neither team able to score in regulation, the game headed to overtime.

The teams traded chances in the extra frame, but once again the goaltenders kept the game scoreless, forcing the shootout.

"Tyson made big saves.  He was challenging the puck, he was out there making the saves he needed to make, and some of them maybe he shouldn't have made, but that's what you need from your goaltending," McAllister said. "I think he should be happy with his game tonight

It took three shooters, but the Tigers pulled out the 1-0 win with a goal from Felix Page.

Boes took home Subway Player of the Game honours, while Teichmann and Page earned second and third game star, respectively.

The Tommies are back in action next Friday when they host the St. Mary's Huskies, while the Tigers are back at home hosting UPEI. Puck drop is 7:00 pm for both games.