Pair of late goals lift Tigers to 3-1 win over Mounties

Game recap by: Kirk Jessome

(Halifax, NS) – In Friday night hockey action at the Halifax Civic Centre, the Dalhousie Tigers took on the Mount Allison Mounties. A pair of late, third period goals boosted the Tigers to a 3-1 win over the Mounties.

It looked like the Tigers had found an early goal in the first period with Lauren Ellerton (Toronto, ON) recovered the puck at the side of the net on a rebound chance and sent a hard shot back toward goal over an outstretched Kaitlin Mowbray (Whitby, ON), but the shot rang off the post and stayed out.

It was a slow offensive period for both sides to start the game, with the Mounties generating just 5 shots on goal in the first period, none of them threatening. With just the one real scoring chance, the first period ended in a scoreless draw.

Once again the Tigers had a great opportunity to find a goal early in the period, and in the second period they were able to capitalize. On a power play opportunity Bobbi Strople (Halifax, NS) sent in a hard shot from the point that was stopped by Mowbray, but Danika Phillips (Barrie, ON) was right there at the side of the net to clean up the rebound and open the scoring.

Looking like that it would be it in the period with just seconds remaining, Maddy Koughan (Mermaid, PEI) recovered the puck after a battle in the corner and from below the goal line sent a pass into the slot for Jordyn Clark (Lansdowne, NB) to redirect home and tie it up at 1-1 with just one second remaining on the clock.

Much of the third period was filled with conservative play from both sides, neither team wanting to give up a big play going back the other way to break the tie.

On a play very similar to the goal from the Mounties, Taylor Joyce (Halifax, NS) was able to pick up the puck through a crowd in the corner and walk in front. Joyce fanned on the initial shot, but was able to recover and lift her shot just over the near-side pad of Mowbray to make it 2-1 for the Tigers with three minutes to go.

After the Mounties picked up a frustration penalty, the Tigers were able to capitalize on the power play to give themselves some insurance late in the game. Phillips worked the puck off the side boards and sent a low shot toward goal that Strople was able to get a stick on and redirect into the net as the pair connected for their second goal of the game.

The Mounties were able to put some late pressure on the Tigers, and get some shots toward Fabianna Petricca (Woodbridge, ON), but Petricca was up to the task late in the game to help her team hold on to the 3-1 victory.

Danika Phillips was named the Subway Player of the Game in this one, picking up a goal and an assist in the win. 

The Tigers will have a week to prepare for a rematch game as they will face the Mounties again next Friday on the road. The Mounties will play their next game on Sunday against the UPEI as they look to bounce back.