Men’s Hockey
It was a busy week for the men’s hockey team who was tasked with three games including two road games. The Tigers are playing their best hockey of the season, grabbing points in two out the three games.
On Tuesday evening the Tigers hosted the number one team in the country, the Acadia Axemen. It looked like things were going to get ugly fast as the Axemen scored twice in the opening five minutes but Dalhousie managed to keep it close.
Steven Johnston and Fabian Walsh scored the Tigers goals in the 5-2 loss. Despite the five goals it was one of Dalhousie better defensive efforts only surrendering 27 shots.
The Tigers travelled to St. Thomas on Friday night to take on the Tommies. St. Thomas got the better of the Tigers winning 4-3 in a shootout.
Dalhousie found themselves down 2-1 heading into the second period but two goals by Tanner Williams gave the Tigers the lead. Rankyn Campbell sent the game into overtime scoring off a feed from Eric Diodati halfway through the third period for the Tommies.
Felix Page and Fabian Walsh were tapped for the shootout but neither could find the back of the net.
On Saturday night the Tigers had an offensive explosion beating Moncton 6-1. Andrew Wigginton had a career night with four assists.
Jean-Francois Plante opened the scoring for Moncton just 22 seconds into the game but JP Harvey tied things up at one just 32 seconds later. Steven Johnston gave the Tigers their first lead halfway through the first off a dish from Wigginton.
It was all Tigers from there cruising to the 6-1 victory. Boes was solid in net making 31 saves.
Dalhousie’s playoff hopes are alive and well as they sit just two points back of the final playoff spot. With only six games remaining in the AUS regular season, the Tigers will look to build on the strong weekend performance. The Tigers host Saint Mary’s on Wednesday, January 27 at the Forum.
Men’s Volleyball
The men’s volleyball team competed at the third and final AUS-RSEQ Interlock event this weekend hosted by UNB. Dalhousie went 1-2 over the course of the event suffering losses to Montreal and Laval.
Montreal got the best of the Tigers on Friday night beating them 3-1 (25-23, 28-26, 20-25, 25-19). The duo of Alyson Francillon and Philippe Carrier was tough to handle as they recorded 17 and 14 kills, respectively.
Kristen O’Brien received Subway Player of the Game honours for his performance with a game-high 18 kills.
After dropping the first set to Sherbrooke on Saturday morning, the Tigers rallied back taking down the Vert et Or 3-1 (18-25, 26-24, 25-21, 25-18). Matthew Donovan was the Tigers go-to attacker, recording 14 kills.
O’Brien got it done defensively for Dalhousie with 10 digs.
It wasn’t a good ending to the weekend as the Tigers were in tough against the Laval Rouge et Or. Laval swept the Tigers Saturday night 3-0 (25-22, 25-13, 25-10).
Offence was hard to come by for Dalhousie as they only recorded 22 kills in three sets.
AUS-RSEQ play is over for the 2015-2016 season. The Tigers have four AUS regular season games before the playoff begin. Dalhousie will host Memorial for a two-game set on February 6 and 7.
Women’s Basketball
Dalhousie hosted their annual Shoot for the Cure game Friday night against the Saint Mary’s Huskies at the Dalplex, which raises funds and awareness for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. It was a special evening, which saw Ainsley Macintyre donate 10 inches of her hair as well as $2600 to the foundation. In total, the Tigers raised over $3,500 for the cause.
The Tigers could not come away with a win falling 62-51. It was a back and forth affair but a strong 17-8 fourth quarter for the Huskies sealed the Tigers fate.
Stammberger had a low scoring game by her standards with a team-high 13 points but was efficient, shooting 4-8 from the field and 5-6 from the line.
On the Huskies side, it was Rachelle Coward leading the way with 22 points, including nine fourth quarter points.
The loss to Saint Mary’s marked the Tigers third-straight game without a point. Coach Stammberger was able to right the ship on Saturday, leading her team to a 73-68 win over the UPEI Panthers.
A strong second quarter was the difference in this one as the Tigers outscored the Panthers 21-11.
The Tigers offensive was firing on all cylinders with four players scoring in the double-digits. Stammberger once again was the focal point with 19 points, nine rebounds, five assists and two steals.
Angenay Williams had a game high 23 points for the Panthers.
Dalhousie continues to surprise the AUS with the young squad currently sitting in fifth with a 5-8 record. The Tigers will host Acadia on Saturday, January 30 at Scotiabank Centre.
Men’s Basketball
What a weekend it was for Coach Plato and the men’s basketball team who came away with two wins and six points. The Tigers did what they do best; winning in the clutch, beating the Huskies 78-73 and the Panthers 79-78. Dalhousie now sits tied for first place in the AUS with the Panthers.
Friday night was an all-round performance for the Tigers. Sven Stammberger was lights out from behind the arc, Kashrell Lawrence was dominant in the paint and Ritchie Kanza Mata made a double-double look easy.
The Tigers never trailed in this one. Saint Mary’s kept it interesting but never could close out the Tigers.
Stammberger was hitting clutch baskets all night going 5-9 from three. Lawrence had a game-high 21 points.
In a crucial four-point game against the UPEI Panthers, the Tigers came up big grabbing an eight-point swing in the AUS standings. Lawrence sealed the win for Dalhousie in the final seconds with a post move putting the Tigers up 79-78.
UPEI's Tyler Scott had a game winning chance but missed the jumper.
Scott and Brad States gave the Tigers all they could handle with 23 and 20 points respectively. On the Tigers side it was Stammberger putting up 17 points.
The Tigers next action comes on January 30 when they host the Acadia Axemen at Scotiabank Centre.
Women’s Hockey
After what had been a disappointing start to the 2016 lag of the AUS regular season, the Tigers recorded their first win of the calendar year against the Mount Allison Mounties on Saturday. Lisa MacLean scored twice leading the Tigers in their 3-2 win, but suffered a season-ending injury during the last minute of play.
Laura Brooks opened up the scoring halfway through the first period but the Mounties countered with two goals of their own. The strong third period by Maclean propelled the Tigers to a much-needed win.
Sunday was a different story as the Tigers fell 3-1 to the StFX X-Women. Sarah Robichaud scored the Tigers lone goal short-handed.
Mati Barrett stood tall making 37 saves on 40 shots.
The Tigers will look to repeat their success against the Mounties when they host them on Saturday, January 30 at the Halifax Forum.
Women’s Volleyball
Anna Dunn-Suen led the Tigers to a 3-1 (25-22, 25-8, 23-25, 25-14) win over Moncton on Sunday afternoon at the Dalplex. Dunn-Suen had a huge game with 17 kills.
The Tigers were without one of the best attackers Mieke DuMont who came down awkwardly in the first set and was forced to sit the rest of the game. Emma Ciprick came in for the injured DuMont and played well with five kills and eight digs.
Serving played a key role in this one as the Tigers had 14 aces including some key service runs by Abby Czenze.
Dalhousie sits a top the AUS with a 9-2 record. The Tigers next action comes on January 31st when they host the Saint Mary’s Huskies.
Track and Field
The Tigers competed at the NS Indoor Open Jumps & Relays over the weekend. The Tigers won the following team events:
- Men’s 4x200m Relay
- Women’s 4x800m Relay
- Women’s 4x400m Relay
- Men’s 4x400mRelay
The following athletes placed first in their respective events:
- Macayla Cullen - Women’s High Jump
- Devin Errington- Men’s High Jump, Long Jump
- Heather Grandy- Women’s Triple Jump
Celia Peters competed at the UOttawa Winter National Invitational over the weekend. Peters finished third in the 1000m with a time of 2:48.81 breaking her previous Dalhousie record. She is currently ranked third in the country in this event.