REDS open AUS semifinal series with 1-0 win over Tommies

(FREDERICTON, NB) Rylee Strohm's third period goal was the only goal the UNB REDS needed in a 1-0 win over the St. Thomas Tommies in the opening game of their best-of-five Atlantic University Sport women's hockey semi-final series, Wednesday night at UNB's Aitken Centre. 

Strohm took a cross-ice pass from defender Lilly Bell and spun in front of Tommies' goalie Katie Sweeney before sliding a backhand shot into the St. Thomas net at the 6:51 mark of the third. 

The single goal decided what had been a very close game. 

Early on, an aggressive Tommies forecheck produced a scoring chance just before the 6:30 mark of the first period. Trinity Webber took a pass deep in the slot and fired a hard shot that was stopped by REDS' goalie Cassie McCallum. 

The teams would go to their dressing rooms after a scoreless first period. 

In the second, the REDS held the Tommies without a shot on goal for the first almost nine minutes while applying significant pressure at the other end of the ice. 

Late in the period, with the Tommies on the powerplay, St. Thomas hit the crossbar and a post on shots just 20 seconds apart. 

Then, with just 45 seconds remaining in the period, Sweeney was forced to scramble to thwart a couple of REDS chances from in close. 

The score remained 0-0 after 40 minutes of play. 

The third period saw UNB kill off six consecutive penalties, including a two-minute 5-on-3 situation that developed just 1:50 in. 

The REDS then capitalized on the momentum of their special teams play with Strohm's goal. 

McCallum, who stopped all of the 23 shots she faced, was named the Boston Pizza Player of the Game. 

Sweeney made 29 saves on 30 shots. 

The REDS and Tommies get right back to business in game two on Thursday, once again at UNB's Aitken Centre. Game time is 7:00pm. 

RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB REDS 

PHOTOS BY: James West/for UNB REDS