Game Recap by Kirk Jessome
(Halifax, NS) – In the first cross-town matchup of 2020, the Dalhousie Tigers hosted the Saint Mary's Huskies at the Halifax Forum on Friday. The Huskies special teams were the difference in this one as they took the 5-0 win.
The Huskies pressure was overwhelming for the Tigers through much of the first period, as the Huskies picked up 10 shots on goal before the Tigers could manage their first.
Controlling most of the time of possession, the Huskies were able to earn powerplays with their work along the boards.
Late in the period, the Huskies were once again on a powerplay chance with Anthony Repaci (Toronto, ON) working below the goal line and finding Stephen Johnson (Moncton, NB) in front of the net. Johnson quickly re-directed the pass on goal that managed to find space through a crowd and into the back of the net to open the scoring and send the teams into the first intermission.
The Tigers were finally able to create a few countering chances early in the second period, but none of them proved threatening as Eric Brassard (St. Hubert, QC) was solid in goal on each opportunity.
Continuing their strong string of attacking pressure, Joel Bishop (St. John's, NL) made a great spin-pass to Connor McGlynn (Oakville, ON) cutting toward the net, and McGlynn was able to force Reilly Pickard (Halifax, NS) to make a move before McGlynn tucked the puck over his shoulder for a 2-0 lead.
Just a few minutes later, the Huskies were once again on the powerplay, as they worked into the zone, Mitchell Balmas (Sydney, NS) picked up the puck at the right faceoff dot as Pickard came out to cut down the angle, but Balmas' shot was deflected to the other side of the crease for Keith Getson (Bridgewater, NS) to fire into the wide-open cage.
Heading into the final period, the Huskies held a 3-0 lead.
The Huskies found their third powerplay goal of the game midway through the third period, as Repaci hammered a slapshot from the left faceoff dot that was deflected in front for Getson who was waiting on the doorstep to tap it through the five-hole of Pickard for a commanding 4-0 advantage.
Sam King (Hampton, NB) was able to put the icing on the cake as he made a great individual play to break into the Tigers zone, get around a defender, and lift the puck short side over the shoulder of Pickard to ice the 5-0 win.
Special teams were the deciding factor in this one as the Tigers gave their opponent eight opportunities on the man-advantage in which they were able to find three goals. Meanwhile, the Tigers had three powerplay chances, but were only able to generate a small number of shots on goal.
Keith Getson was named the Subway Player of the Game in the win, picking up two goals and an assist. Eric Brassard was solid in goal, making 21 saves to shut the Tigers out and earn the win.
The Tigers will be back on the ice on Wednesday as they take on StFX for an important 2-points while the Huskies will take on the X-Men at home tomorrow.