Tommies edge Aigles Bleues 3-2 in opening game

(SACKVILLE, N.B.) - The St. Thomas Tommies used strong offence from their top line to steer them to a hard fought 3-2 victory over the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues in the opening game of the 2013 Subway AUS women's hockey championship on Thursday afternoon.

Kayla Blackmore and Jordan Miller each recorded a goal and an assist, with Blackmore's game-winning marker coming with just under two minutes remaining in the second period.

Moncton opened the scoring at 4:18 of the first when Amelie Lariviere's shot fooled Julia Sharun high glove side, but Saint Thomas wasted no time responding, with two quick goals.

Blackmore tied up the Moncton defence in front of the Aigles Bleues' net, allowing Miller to be left all alone for the Tommies' first goal, which came only 1:15 after Lariviere's goal.

Just 1:11 after the Miller goal, Katie Brewster scored an almost identical goal to give the Tommies the lead.

Moncton would tie the game up again on a rebound shot in close from Elisa Savoie in the second period, but were unable to put much additional pressure on Sharun and the Tommies throughout the remaining 22 minutes.

Sharun stopped 12 shots for the win, but only one save was needed on a long 5-on-3 advantage that Moncton had midway through the third.

Some spectacular penalty-killing by Saint Thomas allowed them to maintain their lead and kill the clock en route to the win.

Kayla Blackmore was named the Subway Player of the Game for the Tommies, while Jenna Van Belois was selected as the Moncton player of the game, making 24 saves in goal.

Saint Thomas, by virtue of the regulation win, earns 3 points in the round robin standings, and will get the day off Friday before facing the Saint Mary's Huskies on Saturday afternoon.

Moncton will play Saint Mary's Friday afternoon at 3:00pm to try and extend their season to Sunday's championship final.

Source: Mount Allison Sports Information
Photo courtesy of Tom Reid Photography (www.tomreidphotography.com)