Women's Hockey photo gallery from Sweden trip

January 19, 2010

St. Thomas’ women’s hockey team just completing an 11-day stay in Sweden, where they went 2-1 in exhibition games.

UST opened Dec. 29 with a 5-1 loss to Segeltorp. “They were a very good team,” assistant coach Jessica Christopherson said.

“They had four players from the Swedish National Team, two from the Norwegian National Team, and one from the Danish National Team. It was 1-1 midway through the second period. We played well and really enjoyed playing against the top women's team in Sweden.”

The Tommies also beat Sodertajle 7-0 and beat the Peking Pumas (Norrkoping) 18-1. 

“Despite the variation in talent levels, all of the games were a great experience for our kids to experience,” Christopherson said. “It was fun learning and trying to adjust to the European style of play.”

Away from the ice, the team enjoyed all the stops. “New Year’s Eve is a really big deal over here,” Christopherson added. “The team had a nice dinner at Helenes Krogs downtown Stockholm and after that we watched an amazing fireworks display over the Baltic Sea. There were huge crowds all over the city and it was a great way to ring in the new year.”

St. Thomas (5-4-2 overall, 4-1-1 MIAC) resumes its schedule Jan. 19 at UW-River Falls, then plays an MIAC series against Hamline Jan. 22-23. With 12 games left to play in the MIAC race, St. Catherine sits in first at 5-1 with at least five teams in the mix -- UST and St. Mary's (each 4-1-1); St. Olaf (4-2) and Gustavus (3-2-1).

Coach Tom Palkowski's Tommies also added a new player -- sophomore forward Kaylee Keys has transferred from Division I Bemidji State. Keys scored four goals and five assists last season in 36 games.

The 2008 Cretin-Derham Hall grad is the daughter of former Tommie All-American Jeff Keys and the sister of former Ohio State player Erin Keys. Jeff Keys' 186 career points (86 goals/100 assists) from 1973-77 ranks fourth on the Tommie career list and 10th on the MIAC career charts.

Anthem before the first exhibition game in Stockholm against the Segeltorps.

Assistant coach, Jessica Christopherson, and head coach ,Tom Palkowski, take a photo with former Tommie, Erica Buck, who now lives in Sweden and who was very helpful in making this trip a success.

View overlooking downtown Stockholm and the Baltic Sea Harbor.

The Tommies gather to celebrate their 18-1 victory over the Peking Pumas in Norrkoping, Sweden.

Nordic Museum in Stockholm featuring life throughout Sweden over thousands of years.

Despite the cold, the Tommies witnessed the Changing of the Guard at the Royal Palace in Stockholm.

Riding the ferry to visit the Nordic and Vasa Museums, a snap shot of Stockholm was taken.

Night life in downtown Stockholm.

Team hike in Stockholm where the Tommies roasted marshmallows and went sledding at this very spot.

Another view of downtown Stockholm from the Baltic Sea Harbor.

Downtown Gothenburg where the Tommies ran into a statue of Gustavus Adolphus.

 Team photo in downtown Stockholm, also known as Old Town.

 Shopping in Stockholm right before a team dinner at Sally's Pizzeria.

Anthem before the second exhibition game in Sodertalje at the AXA Sports Center.

Shopping for knick-knacks in Old Town, Seniors Jenny Schnaible and Kristine Beese, and Junior Kristen 'Turbo' Grossman, stop and pose below the Swedish flag.

Shaking hands after playing Sodertalje in a 7-0 victory.

The fans look on as the Tommies control play against Sodertalje.

Roommates Kristen Grossman and Jamie Hollway at the Skansen Museum in Stockholm. Jamie is representing the Segeltorps as she wears their team jacket.

A night in Old Town.