Tommies defeat X-Women 5-3

Fredericton, NB - The St. Thomas University Tommies scored three unanswered goals in the third period to top the St. Francis Xaiver X-Women 5-3 in AUS women's hockey action Sunday afternoon at the Grant-Harvey Centre.

It was a physical first period with both teams getting a chance on the power play, but neither were able to capitalize with the man advantage.

The Tommies opened the scoring 18:12 into the frame with a goal from Lauren Henman, who beat Huskies netminder Carley Molnar on a great individual effort.

Just 4:35 into the second stanza, Daley Oddy put the X-Women on the board to tie the game, 1-1.

The Tommies reclaimed the lead at 8:49 when Henman buried the rebound off an Eliza Snider slapper from the point. It was short-lived though, as the X-Women responded with a goal from Nicole Halladay with 38.9 on the clock.

The X-Women took their first and only lead of the game 46 seconds into the third with a goal from Connor Garagan, who squeaked the puck past Tommies goaltender Abby Clarke.

The Tommies pressured throughout the frame for the equalizer and were rewarded at 15:12 as Emily Oleksuk capitalized on a back-hand in tight. Teah Anderson followed suit less than three minutes later with a power play goal from the slot, giving the Tommies a 4-3 lead.

The X-Women pulled Molnar for the extra attacker with 50 seconds to go, but a broken play led to an empty net goal for Samantha Squires and secured the win for the Tommies.

Abby Clarke made 18 saves in the win, while Molnar turned away 33 shots in the loss.

Henman was named Subway Player of the Game for her two-goal performance.

The Tommies are back in action Sunday, October 22 when they host the Mount Allison Mounties. The X-Women will host the Dalhousie Tigers on Wednesday night in Antigonish. 

Courtesy St. Thomas Sports Information