Paisley scores in loss to Tommies

Source: St. Thomas Athletics

Fredericton, NB- The St. Thomas University Tommies finished off their regular season home schedule with a 3-1 win over the Dalhousie University Tigers, eliminating them from playoff contention.

The game marked the annual grad game for the Tommies, where they honored their graduating players Danielle Ring, Lauren Legault, Paige Jackson, Alex Swift, Alex Woods and Emily Oleksuk. Graduating players for the Tigers are Annika Rose, Natalie Stanwood, Danika Phillips, Abigail Shearer, Lauren Ellerton, Fabiana Petricca and Tara Morning.

It was the Tigers who opened the scoring in the first period when Brooklyn Paisley broke in on Caroline Pietroski and scored five-hole following a Tommies powerplay. Following the game Tommies head coach, Peter Murphy, stated that Pietroski would be the team's starting netminder in the playoffs.

In poetic fashion it was a pair of Tommies graduating players who connected for the tying goal as Legault scored on the power play, drawing assists from Ring and second-year defender Brooke Stanford.

"It was nice for the vets to get one today," said Murphy following the game.

In contrast to their first goal, the Tommies second goal came thanks to a pair of rookies, as Jacey Dane scored the eventual game winner on the powerplay, with assists coming from fellow rookie Aislynn Byers and second year defender Florence Awde.

"I have had a lot of people mention how much they like the rookies and how good they are going to be," said Murphy. "They are coming along really well."

Olivia Reid would round out the scoring for the Tommies, marking their third powerplay goal of the afternoon. Pietroski would make 20 saves in the victory, while Petricca stopped 49 in the loss.

The Tommies will face the UPEI Panthers Sunday in PEI before gearing up for a playoff matchup against the UNB Reds. The Tigers did not advance to the playoff round.