Tommies lose 7-2 to Acadia in St. Thomas home opener

(FREDERICTON, N.B.) - The St. Tommies home opener ended in disappointment as five Acadia goals in the third period sent the home squad to a 7-2 loss to Acadia.

The Tommies took a 1-0 lead thanks to Brendan Childerely as he banged home a loose puck in front of the net. After falling behind 2-1 in the second period, Colin Martin scored as he blew past the Acadia defenceman, before deking past Evan Mosher and sliding the puck in the net with his background.

The game was tied 2-2 heading into the third but a lack of discipline and penalty woes cost the Tommies.

"I'm not sure how a 2-2 games turn into a 7-2 game," said St. Thomas head coach Pat Powers. "I think we were feeling pretty good going into the third."

The Tommies gave up three power play goals in the period and had 37 penalties minutes.

"I want the guys playing on the edge but they can't play over it," Powers said.

Goaltender Jon Groenheyde was ejected for bumping an official while Jason Trott received a 10 minute game misconduct.

Alex St-Arnaud took Groenheyde's place in goal and played well making six saves, including a spectacular denial on Liam Heelis.

The Tommies powerplay wasn't effective all night as they wound up 1-9 with the man advantage.

Acadia's Liam Heelis had a hat trick in the matchup, scoring while the Axemen were short-handed in the first and on two separate Acadia power plays in the third.

Acadia's Chris Owens had three assists in the third and was named the game's first star.

Alex Beaton added two goals for the Axemen in the third, one with both teams at full strength and the other during an Axemen powerplay. He was named the second star of the game.

St. Thomas's Colin Martin earned third star honours.

Coach Powers says the third period collapse will serve as motivation for the team.

"If we want to be completive in this league we better make sure we have short memories. Those nights are going to be happen periodically and we need to make sure we learn from that and use it as motivation," Powers said. 

The Tommies host the Dalhousie Tigers Saturday evening. The puck drops at 7 p.m.

Source: St. Thomas Sport Information