Two all-star players, a pair of wins over nationally-ranked opponents, and the second most regular season wins in program history - it was a pretty good year for the Dalhousie Tigers women’s hockey team.
The first half of the season saw the Tigers go 8-6-3. Brooklyn Paisley had seven multi-point games through the team’s first 10 matches. In October, she helped lead them past the No. 10 ranked Saint Mary’s Huskies by a score of 3-2.
Just over a month later it was the No. 6 ranked UNB REDS who fell 2-1 in overtime to a determined Tigers squad. Grace Beer led the team from the back end making 29 saves on 30 shots.
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Dalhousie got out to a slow start in the second semester, losing their first four games, but rallied back to win the following five. The Tigers ended the season with a 13-10-5 record which placed them fifth in the conference. A date with the UPEI Panthers awaited them in the quarter-finals. After losing the first game 1-0 in Charlottetown, game two at the Halifax Forum was a must win for the Tigers, and it was a see-saw battle that needed double overtime to determine a winner. In the second overtime period, Olivia Eustace scored the winner to extend the series and give Dalhousie their first playoff victory since 2018.The Panthers would ultimately win game three 3-0, ending the Tigers season but there was some very good playoff experience gained by the young group. |
“Our players should be proud of the strides they have made this season,” says head coach Troy Ryan. “This group is far from satisfied and we fully understand that continued growth is needed to get the program to where we want it to be.”
The AUS major award winners and all-stars were announced in February with a few Tigers players earning some hardware.
Brooklyn Paisley was named an AUS second team all-star after leading the Tigers in scoring with 10 goals and 13 assists in 23 games. Grace Beer was also named an AUS second team all-star and selected to the AUS all-rookie team.
“Grace has been a big part of our team’s newfound confidence,” says Ryan. “Her calm, consistent approach instills confidence in her teammates.”
Beer played the most minutes of any goalie, was fourth in save percentage and posted a 9-9-1 record. Natasha Falk was also named to the all-rookie team after earning 10 points this year and Isabella Weist was named the league’s most sportsmanlike player becoming the second ever Tigers player to earn the honour.
This season was the last for goalie Kaelyn Budden.
With an excellent campaign behind this young group, the Dalhousie Tigers women’s hockey team is carrying some positive momentum into the upcoming season.
2022-23 Award Winners
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| Team MVP Gabrielle Noordijk |
Tiger of the Year Isabella Weist |