Tommies End First Half with OT Win Over Panthers

By: Sean Crocker, BA'18
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The St. Thomas University Tommies defeated the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers 3-2 in overtime in AUS women's hockey action Sunday afternoon at the Grant-Harvey Centre.

The Panthers got off to a quick start with Sydnee Baker capitalizing on a miscue by the STU defense to give them a 1-0 lead.

The goal did not go unanswered as Olivia Reid streaked down the wing and snapped a shot into the top corner of the Panthers' net to knot the game at one after 20 minutes.

The Panthers scored less than a minute into the second when Rachel Colle waltzed in front of the net and shot the puck past Taylor Cook to give the Panthers a 2-1 lead.

The pace of the second period was mainly controlled by the Tommies, who had many opportunities to tie the game up at two.

Tommies head coach Peter Murphy was pleased with the way his team pushed themselves in the offensive zone throughout the game.

"Normally we play better in the second and third than we do in the first," Murphy said. "I wasn't super happy with our defensive zone, but we were good in the offensive zone."

The Tommies bounced back when Lauren Henman danced through three Panthers to tap the puck into the open net to tie the game 2-2.

"They had some great opportunities," said Murphy of his top line. "There were a lot of people that stepped up today."

The Tommies ran into some penalty trouble late in the game but Taylor Cook, getting her first start this month, stood tall to keep the game tied at two.

"We decided to give Cook the game today," Murphy said. "I thought she did very well for us today and got us the win."

Neither team could find the back of the net in the third period, forcing them into overtime.

A Panthers' penalty at the 20 minute mark of the third put the Tommies on the power play to start the extra frame. Leah Galati potted the game-winner 1:29 into overtime, wiring a shot from the blueline past the Panthers goalie for a 3-2 win to close out their first half of the year.

"It was a big shot from the point," Murphy said. "We seemed to run a little bit static on that power play in overtime."

The Tommies are back in action after the holidays when they visit the St. Mary's Huskies in Halifax on January 5 at 7:00pm.