Petricca stops 47 in 1-0 loss to Tommies

Game recap by Kirk Jessome

(Halifax, NS) – In Friday night hockey action at the Halifax Forum, the Dalhousie Tigers (1-2-1) hosted the St. Thomas Tommies (3-1-0). A late goal in the second period by the Tommies was enough for them to fight to a 1-0 win over the Tigers.

Fabianna Petricca (Woodbridge, ON) was tested early and often in the first period for the Tigers, especially with the Tigers taking three penalties in the period.

There was heavy pressure in the Tigers zone throughout the period, but they were able to find counter attacks at times, like on a fantastic chip off the boards by Keana Oshowy (Woodbridge, ON) to break out of the Tigers end and set herself up for a two on one. Oshowy broke into the zone and elected to take the shot herself, but the low wrister was swallowed up by Abby Clarke (Springdale, NL).

A late penalty by the Tigers in the final minutes in the period resulted in another flurry of shots for the Tommies including a slapshot ripped from the point by Paige Jackson (Stoney Creek, ON) that left a rebound right in front for Danielle Ring (Saint John, NB), but Ring's shot was also stopped in front by Petricca.

As the power play ended, so did the scoreless first period.

The Tigers had a power play opportunity of their own in the opening minutes of the second period, and it didn't take long to get their first scoring chance as well.

On a faceoff win for the Tigers, Autumn Moors (Ottawa, ON) took a hard slap shot from the faceoff dot that was stopped by the pad of Clarke, but the rebound came right back out to Moors who quickly snapped it back for another opportunity, but this time Clarke was able to get a glove on it to keep it scoreless.

The Tommies countered with a chance of their own with Becky Conner (East St. Paul, MB) streaking down the right hand side into the Tigers zone, Connor got space and took a high wrist shot, but Petricca was able to make a very tough glove save.

The Tommies were able to find the opening goal late in the period off of a battle in the corner that was won by Brooke Stanford (Whitby, ON) and found Emily Oleksuk (Thunder Bay, ON) in the slot for a wide open shot, and Oleksuk picked the near side corner to give her team a 1-0 lead.

The goal was the last action in the period, as the teams went into the locker rooms with the Tommies leading 1-0.

The start of the third period was filled with scrambling play in both ends, but the Tommies continued their offensive pressure early with Stephanie Ford (Cobourg, ON) taking a hard shot toward the same corner that beat Petricca in the previous period, but this time got her shoulder up in time to make the stop.

The Tigers had another power play opportunity midway through the period and held pressure in the attacking zone throughout, getting plenty of shots toward the goal, but Clarke was standing tall as she had all game.

A late penalty by the Tigers made it tough on them to fight for an equalizer as they spent most of the dying minutes in their own end as time was winding down and the Tommies held on to the 1-0 win.

Goal scorer Emily Oleksuk was named the Subway Player of the Game, with an honourable mention to both goaltenders in this one with Clarke picking up a 21 save shutout, and Petricca making a massive 47 stops.

The Tigers will look to get back in the win column tomorrow night when they take on Moncton in their first matchup since the playoffs last season. The Tommies will continue their road trip tomorrow as they travel to StFX.