STUTOMMIES.COM

Jason Cassidy’s Blog: Head shot change must come from players

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:02:00 +0000

The latest from Jason Cassidy. Here is a little teaser.

With four weeks remaining in the season while I was working on a blog about head shots in the Canadian League, I – ironically enough – suffered a concussion. It’s my fifth (that I can remember) and I’ve been sidelined ever since. Throughout the entire recent media blitz over hits to the head, the long-term effects of concussions began to weigh on my mind. At what point should I make a decision to keep playing or shut it down? When should I begin to value the most important organ in my body? And who is responsible for making that decision?

For Jason's full story check out his blog at The Hockey News.

Were the '09-'10 Squirrels the best ever?

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:32:00 +0000

It's a slow time of year and this is an interesting AUS and CIS debate. Evan Daum over at the "South Campus Sports" blog looks at a few other teams that may test "the best ever team in CIS history that never won" theory as Bruce Hallihan of the Daily Gleaner put it last week.

Here is a quote.

While the series win by St. FX could very well go down as one of the biggest playoff upsets in CIS men’s hockey history, the most recent version of the V-Reds wasn’t the best team that never won.

That distinction goes to a team that UNB beat back in 2003/04 at the national tournament — the Alberta Golden Bears who were 40–0–2 heading into nationals. FULL BLOG POST

Interesting article, I hope all you CIS hockey fans enjoy it. Nice work Evan.

Lehr signs with Bucks, Chamberland with Americans

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 23:05:00 +0000

CIS All Canadian defenceman Ryan Lehr has signed a pro contract with the Laredo Bucks of the Central Hockey League.

"We needed to improve our defense and Lehr was one of the guys we have been looking at to bring in here," said Bucks President/General Manager and Head Coach Terry Ruskowski. "He’s a solid two-way defenseman who can help us down the stretch." Full Story

GOOD LUCK RYAN and thanks from Tommies fans.

UPDATE: Ryan scored a goal in his first professional game, a 6-1 win versus the Allen Americans. Of course Allen is where Justin Bowers is playing but what is also interesting to note is that Maxim Chamberland is also playing with the Americans. Thursday's Allen vs. Laredo boxscore.

Chamberland was signed on Tuesday. From an Allen press release "Forward Liam Huculak and blueliner Chris Kaufman were placed on 14-day injured reserve Monday, retroactive to Feb. 25 and Feb. 27 respectively. The Americans signed forward Maxim Chamberland today to fill the vacancy."

Moncton brings STU's season to a close

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 01:17:00 +0000

It wasn't to be. The Tommies fought down to the last seconds but first place Moncton skated away with a 3-1 victory in tonight's AUS semi-final.

UdeM sniper, Marieve Provost, opened the scoring at 5:41 of the first by weaving around a STU defenceman and tucking the puck between the legs of Julia Sharun. It was the only goal of the period in which UdeM out shot STU 14-8.

The Tommies would tie the game at 11:01 of the second when Katie Brewster took the Courtney Fox pass from centre, gained the blue line and passed the puck to Kayla Blackmore. Blackmore would take a few steps and fire a laser beam top shelf past a bewildered Kathy Desjardins in the Moncton net. Unfortunately the Tommies would surrender a goal 50 seconds later to Kristine Labrie that proved to be the winner. Moncton would score again at 11:10 of the third to salt this one away.

Moncton out shot St. Thomas 37-22 on the night.

With the loss St. Thomas hockey is done for another season.

Daily Gleaner: Tommies come up short in AUS women's hockey

Tommies force showdown tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 00:23:00 +0000

With a convincing 5-1 victory over the UPEI Panthers tonight, the St. Thomas Tommies set up a showdown tomorrow evening versus Les Aigles Bleuse. Lyse Rossignol had a goal and 2 assists to help lead the Tommies charge.

The first period saw St. Thomas handle the Panthers but not able to get anything by UPEI goalie Kristy Dobson. It was UPEI that scored first when Tessa Roach banged one past Julia Sharun in tight at 11:25. Shots were 12-7 favouring STU after the first.

The Tommies came out firing in the second frame. STU was on the powerplay early when Lucrece Nussbaum fed Kayla Blackmore down low, who fired a pass to a waiting Lyse Rossignol in front of the Panthers net for the tying marker. St. Thomas would surge ahead at 8:05 when Kayla Blackmore sniped one top corner from Charity Walls and Katie Brewster. Sweet Caroline Hammerheim would increase the lead when she deflected the Jessica Holt point shot on the PP at 17:05. Rossignol collected the other assist feeding Holt at the point. Shots favoured UPEI 11-8. Many of the shots came as a result of an extended 2 man PP that the Panthers were unable to capitalize on.

UPEI received more of the same treatment in the third period when Dominique Bernier made a sweet move just in side the blue line and scored on the breakaway. Lyse Rossignol made a great pass up to her and Jillian Coughlin got the other helper. The goal was on the PP at 8:06. At 16:37, again on the PP, Katie Brewster whacked one in off a scramble in front of the net with assists to Bernier and Coughlin. Final shots on goal were 34-26 for STU. Julia Sharun picks up the win.

Tomorrow night, 7PM the Battle of New Brunswick will take place and will determine who goes to the AUS finals.

GO TOMMIES GO

Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues coach Denis Ross knows what to expect from the St. Thomas Tommies.

Tommies play a solid and disciplined defensive system, making it difficult for opposing teams to sustain any attack, Ross said last night.

Aigles Bleues square off against the Tommies tonight in the Subway Atlantic University Sport women's hockey conference championship tournament. Game time is 7 p.m. at the J-Louis Levesque Arena.

Times & Transcript - Aigles Bleues face Tommies

Tommies versus the UPEI Panthers in Game #4

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:41:00 +0000

The St. Thomas Tommies will play their first game of the AUS Championship playoffs versus the University of PEI Panthers tomorrow night at 7 PM. The Panthers lost to the defending champion and host team the UdeM Aigles Bleues 6-2 tonight.

The game can be heard on CHSR but will be tape delayed and can be heard immediately following the UNB vs. St-FX men's playoff game. The games will also be webcast by Aliant and you can watch live HERE.

GO TOMMIES!!!

Daily Gleaner: Olympian scheduled to be in STU lineup tonight

CIS women's hockey weekly

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 02:12:00 +0000

Just wanted to post this week's edition of CIS women's hockey weekly, courtesy of SSN Canada.

Also posting now as the USA/Canada Gold medal game just finished. A few things that I noted. 1.) The pride of Canadians when it comes to hockey. Sex of the player is irrelevant, as it should be. 2.) The class of Team USA and how the pro-Canadian Vancouver crowd showed their respect to a great hockey team. 3.) Team Finland - how proud they were to receive the bronze medal. I was struck by the comments of Cassie Campbell, who said something along the lines of, it isn't enough anymore just to have a men's team and be considered a hockey nation.

Nussbaum, Kelbaugh, and Wolfe garner AUS honours

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 10:19:00 +0000

Lucrece Nussbaum, fresh from a 5th place finish at the Olympics, has been named a 2nd team all-star on defence.

Speedy Amy Kellbaugh and Kristin Wolfe have both been named to the AUS rookie squad.

CHSR plans to cover St. Thomas games at this weekend's tournament in Moncton.

AUS Story

The Daily Gleaner gives us a great run down in today's edition. Swiss Olympian named 2nd team AUS all-star

Olympics - Team Switzerland 2 vs. Russia 1

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:04:00 +0000

With a little help from St. Thomas Tommies standout defenceman Lucrece Nussbaum, the Swiss Olympic hockey team captured 5th place at the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, with a 2-1 shoot out victory over Russia.

Lukey had the first assist on Switzerland's only goal, registered 3 SOG, and played just under 29 minutes of ice time. CONGRATULATIONS ON A VERY SUCCESSFUL OLYMPIC GAMES!!!

With 1 goal, 2 assists, and a bucket full of minutes played against some of the world's best hockey players, Lukey led her team's defence with 3 points during the games. She should be returning to Fredericton on Thursday!!

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!!

Mike Sanderson - STU Journalism reports

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:40:00 +0000

A couple of great pieces by our very own music director of the St. Thomas Tommies hockey games. Great work Mike.....GO LEAFS...Thumbs up!

Jason Cassidy's Vlog - On the Road: challenges of being a student athlete

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:27:00 +0000

Another interesting piece by STU Journalism student Jason Cassidy.

Moncton powers past Tommies

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:36:00 +0000

In the regular season finale at the LBR, the story of the game was Moncton's potent powerplay and STU's missed opportunities. Five on five the Tommies were equal to or better than the Blue Ealges but the extra attacker propelled UdeM with all 3 goals and almost one quarter of their shots.

The first period was scoreless with STU holding the better of the play out shooting Moncton 13-10. The Tommies had 4 glorious chances to take the lead but UdeM's goalie Kathy Desjardin was the difference maker.

In the second frame les Aigles Bleues scored on the PP at 6:49 when Janelle Ouellete fired the puck from the left face-off circle and Kristine Labrie potted the goal off a perfect deflection. Valerie Boisclair would get the next power play goal at 16:58 from Kristine Labrie. STU out shot Moncton in the second period 7-6.

Captain Dominique Bernier would get STU close at 9:17 of the third when she fired home the Jillian Couglin pass to make it 2 to 1. Janelle Ouelette would round out the scoring at 12:54 beating Julia Sharun in tight. Final shots favoured the Tommies 30-26.

With the loss the Tommies do finish in fourth position but this ultimately may be a small blessing. STU should be in the same pool as UPEI and Moncton at the playoff tournament being hosted by UdeM next weekend. If the Tommies make it to the finals against St-FX they will receive the automatic backdoor berth to nationals being hosted by the X-Women.

Olympics - Team Switzerland 6 vs. China 0

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 10:30:00 +0000

Lucrece Nussbaum scored her first Olympic goal and Switzerland's third goal of the game (on the PP), as the Swiss cruised to an easy 6-0 victory over China. The Swiss will have one more game to play versus Russia to determine 5th place, game time is 1 AM (AST) on Tuesday morning/Monday night.

Lukey has consistently had 20 minutes of ice time per game in Vancouver and is on the second defence pairing for Team Switzerland. In last night's game she registered the goal, 2 shots on net, and 19:22 in ice time. Olympic box score

Please rest assured we will be looking for video of this goal.

Tommies slip back to fourth

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 01:56:00 +0000

The Tommies lose 4-1 to UPEI tonight on the Island, couple that with Saint Mary's 4-2 win versus Dalhousie, and STU sits one point back of the Huskies for third spot in the league.

St. Thomas out shot the Panthers 24-17. STU's only goal came off the stick of Kathleen Boyle (Bernier, Kelbaugh) at 15:05 of the second period making the game 2-1 at the time. PEI would score one more in the second and one more in the third for the 4-1 final. Julia Sharun takes the loss in net.

Next game for STU is Sunday afternoon at 3 PM against first place Moncton. This will be the Tommies final home game of the season.

Olympics - Team Switzerland 5 vs. Slovakia 2

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 10:16:00 +0000

Lucrece Nussbaum registered an assist and another 20 minutes of ice time as the Swiss finish round robin play in Vancouver with 1 win and 2 losses. They will have to wait for the winner of Russia vs. China to see who their opponent will be in the final classification games before the medal round begins. Team Switzerland finished 3rd in group A. Standings

UPDATE: Received a comment in the Tombits post below that stated Lukey deserves her own mention and shouldn't have to share. They were right and here it is.

As a result of Russia's 2-1 win versus the Chinese, the Swiss will play China in the classification game Saturday at 8:30 AST. If they win, it is off to the medal round.

Tombits

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 10:20:00 +0000

Bill Hunt makes a suggestion: This is in Bill's article today; "The blog run by a couple of St. Thomas Tommies fans is back in business and taking comments again after a period in which the comment section was closed.

The anonymous assembly has been calling, in no uncertain terms, for the skull of head coach and athletic director Mike Eagles as they digest a last-place finish in the Atlantic University Sport Men's Hockey Conference.

The pleas are vehement and they are passionate, but they are anonymous. And so they don't, or they shouldn't, carry any credibility among those who make decisions.

As long as the comments are all "anonymous," we have no way of knowing whether there are eight or 80 or 800 disgruntled denizens of Tommie nation.

I'd attach a lot more credibility to the movement if they signed a petition, say, and attached a $100 bill - or whatever a season pass costs at St. Thomas these days - saying they would be prepared to buy a pass with the attached if there were going to be changes to the hockey program. Then we'd see how strong the opposition is and how sincere the cyber mob really is. And now, until events warrant otherwise, I am hereby finished discussing men's hockey at St. Thomas University until September or so."

To sum it up, put your money where your mouth is.

Daily Gleaner: "Eagles determined to keep dual role": You can read Bruce Hallihan's full story HERE.

CIS women's hockey weekly

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:23:00 +0000

Some much deserved media attention for CIS women's hockey. John Bower and Stuart Bowlen team up and do a great job going over the week that was in CIS women's hockey. A few clips of Sunday's shoot out win versus Saint Mary's included, so check it out.

Also interesting to note that this past weekend was not a great one for those CIS teams looking to have a perfect season. Not only did UNB lose to St-FX locally in men's play but the Laurier Golden Hawks were denied perfection by the Windsor Lancers in women's action. Nice accomplishments by both teams nevertheless.

Video from SSN Canada at http://www.ssncananda.ca/

Olympics - Team Switzerland 1 vs. Canada 10

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:34:00 +0000

Lucrece Nussbaum and Team Switzerland hung with the powerful Canadian team for a while but ultimately the better team pulled away in the third period. Lukey played well and had 20 minutes of ice time, 4 penalty minutes, and was a minus 3. Game information and Pre-game CBC Vancouver article

Final game of the round robin for the Swiss is Wednesday versus Slovakia. GO LUKEY!

Third place battle won by Tommies

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:02:00 +0000

The St. Thomas Tommies and Saint Mary's Huskies were tied at the start of the day with 24 points apiece in the AUS standings but by the end of it someone was going to be all alone at number 3. It was the Tommies, as they picked up the hard fought 4 - 3 shoot out win against a tough Huskies team.

The game was a battle right from puck drop and felt almost like a playoff match up. STU would score the only goal of the first period when Caroline Hammerheim roofed a shot from the side of the net just after a PP expired with the only assist going to Kathleen Boyle. Shots favoured STU 13 to 7 in the period.

The Huskies would tie the score at 11:56 of the second when Melissa Young scored on a breakaway off a nice set up from the side boards from Danielle MacDougall. Shortly after that Kayla Blackmore was sprung on a breakaway but Jillian MacIsaac in the SMU net made a great save. Katie Brewster would bang one home in tight and regain the STU lead at 14:57 on the PP with helpers to Lyse Rossignol and Dominique Bernier. The second ended 2-1 and the shots were 12 - 6 for St. Thomas.

STU opened the scoring in the third at 1:26 as Katie Brewster scored her second of the day on the PP with Courtney Fox and Lyse Rossignol collecting the assists. Saint Mary's wouldn't fold their tent as Kaitlyn Abbass scored with a low shot at 8:48 and Kyla Thurston scored on a partial break away at 10:16 to tie the game. Shots were 10 to 7 for SMU.

Overtime solved nothing, so it went to a shoot out. Shots in OT were STU 2 for a game total of 34 and SMU 4 for a total of 29.

Here is how the shoot out went. Julia Sharun in net for STU, Jillian MacIsaac for SMU.

The Tommies scored on their first three shots, Dominique Bernier, Lyse Rossignol, and Kayla Blackmore. Caroline Hammerhiem missed on attempt #4, although there was some debate.

SMU's Kayla Thurston missed, Kori Cheverie scored, Lauren McCusker missed, and Danielle MacDougall missed.

Julia Sharun picks up the big win for the Tommies, who now sit all alone in third place, one point up on the Huskies. Next weekend St. Thomas plays UPEI on the Island and Sunday February 21st at home against our number 1 rival the U de M Aigles Bleues. We will wait and see if all-star Lucrece Nussbaum will be back from Vancouver for this one.

Men's and women's hockey story from The Daily Gleaner.

In other Tommies related news "The Has-Been Tommies", comprised of Catherine Boudreau, Rebekah Thompson, Amy MacLennan, Sarah Braam, and Kristina O'Brien, captured the championship in the inaugural women's division of the World Pond Hockey tournament in Plaster Rock, NB. Final score was 11-6. Photo and Daily Gleaner article

Season ends for Tommies with loss

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 01:44:00 +0000

The Tommies finished their season in Halifax with a 7-4 loss to the Saint Mary's Huskies. There is no way to sugar coat this folks, we miss the play offs for the second straight year and finish with a 7-19-2 record good for 16 points.

Scoring for the Tommies tonight were Jordan Scott with his first of the season, Scott Judson, Devan Praught, and Kenton Dulle.

Comments have been turned back on. STU fans, we are just like you...frustrated and tired but take a few minutes and think about what you are saying. Vent your frustrations but Please, if someone is an optimist, let them be. And for you optimists, let the frustrated fans be as well. We are all in this together. I don't think the powers that be read this anyway. It was just a fun way to support our hockey teams, it was never envisioned to be what it has become. Just getting tired, that's all.

Olympics - Team Switzerland 0 vs. Sweden 3

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 23:20:00 +0000

The Swiss women and the Tommies own Lucrece Nussbaum fell this afternoon to Sweden 3 - 0 at the Vancouver Olympics.

In 19 minutes and 21 seconds of ice time today, Lukey was a -1 but was solid.

Next game for Switzerland is against Team Canada on Monday afternoon. GO CANADA...sorry Lukey.

Women's hockey keeps growing in NB

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 11:16:00 +0000

Everywhere you look these days the opportunity for women to play the best sport in the world continues to grow. From Timbits in minor hockey right up to the University level, females playing hockey isn't the "surprise" it once was.

For example the annual World Pond Hockey tournament held in Plaster Rock, NB has added a women's division for the first time. A team comprised of former Tommies currently hold top spot at the tournament. We have our fingers crossed that Catherine Boudreau, Amy Nelson, Rebecca Connors and Sarah Braamm can bring home the championship and have "Has-Been-Tommies" (all former St. Thomas players) added as the inaugural winners of this tournament.

Daily Gleaner: Has-Been-Tommies are exact opposite on Pond

Axemen nail Tommies' coffin shut

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 01:38:00 +0000

This cruel hockey season is almost over for the Tommies. With a 5-2 loss at the hands of Acadia the Tommies are confined to the AUS basement and no chance at a playoff position.

Scoring for the Tommies this evening were Corey Banfield and Devan Praught. Shots on goal were 37 to 37. It really doesn't matter but the Tommies could not catch a break tonight to save themselves....literally. It was 1-1 after one, 3-1 after two, and your 5-2 final.

The comments have been closed on this post. Give it a rest for a while people and calm down for a bit.

Daily Gleaner: Tommies run out of chances, officially out ouf AUS playoffs

The Paradoxical Commandments

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 18:38:00 +0000

The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives. Do good anyway.

If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway.

The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway.

The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds. Think big anyway.

People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs. Fight for a few underdogs anyway.

What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway.

People really need help but may attack you if you do help them. Help people anyway.

Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you have anyway.

Tombits

noreply@blogger.com (STUTOMMIES.COM) — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 00:39:00 +0000

Nussbaum ready to roll: Although Lukie hurt her knee during the her last game before leaving for Vancouver, she will be playing for the Swiss at the Olympics. Here is a LINK to the Swiss roster. Here is a LINK to leave a message and wish Lucrece GOOD LUCK. The site is in German but is easy enough to understand.

Final weekend of regular season for men: Pending a miracle, we are looking at our last weekend of men's hockey until next fall. There certainly are some passionate STU fans out there and Dave Ritchie talks about the "vitriolic commentary" on this website concerning Coach Mike Eagles in his column today.

Women's weekend update: The Lady Tommies should be able to ice three complete forward lines on Sunday for the first time in several weeks. It was something else to see only five bodies on the bench during play against PEI a few weeks ago. The back end will still be light as Coach Murphy expects only four D will start. Jessica Holt could see spotty action, as she returns from her leg injury, but no one is rushing it. Kristin Wolfe will dress against SMU on Sunday but will back up all-star Julia Sharun.

Big game for the Ladies versus Saint Mary's as they sit two points back of the Tommies with one game in hand. Provided the game is won in regulation, we will be tied or sit four points up on the Huskies.