UPEI extends winning streak to four

(HALIFAX, NS) – The UPEI Panthers ended the Tigers three game-winning streak with a 3-1 win Saturday January 28 at the Halifax Civic Arena.

The first period was a back and forth affair. Both teams' defenses shut down any generated offensive opportunities. The marjority of the period was held scoreless.

The Panthers broke the deadlock with 4 minutes remaining in the first period.   Lindsay Johnston (Bowmanville, ON) was sprung on the breakaway after a stretch pass from Kristen MacIntyre (Sydney, NS). Johnston's shot squeaked past Dalhousie goalie Fabiana Petricca (Woodbridge, ON) before trickling across the line.

The Panthers had another great chance to add to their lead just before the end of the first frame. Jenna Pellerin (Halifax, NS) received the puck right above the Tigers crease and then unleashed a powerful backhand but Petricca was able to make the beautiful glove save to keep the game at 1-0.

The first period ended 1-0 for the Panthers.   The Tigers had a great opportunity to tie the game up in the beginning minutes of the second frame. An early five-on-three power play saw the Tigers generate offensive chances, but they were unable to capitalize on any of their opportunities.

The Tigers continued to push for an equalizer early in the second peirod. 5:30 into the second frame Bianca Canadé (Mississauga, ON) collected the puck from in-between the Panthers defender's legs before firing a shot that beat Marie-Soleil Deschenes (Ile-Bizard, QC) but not the crossbar.   The Panthers added to their lead 8:18 into the second frame when Johnston skated into the slot before ripping her second goal of the game top shelf.

The Tigers responded well to the goal, generating several chances. The best chance of the period for the Tigers came when Canadé and Courtney Sheedy (Orangeville, ON) moved in on a two-on-one, but Deschenes made an unbelievable save maintain the Panthers lead at 2-0.

The Tigers got on the board 12:57 into the second frame when Ashley Money (Langton, ON) intercepted an errant Panthers breakout pass before blasting the puck first time past Deschenes.

The Tigers nearly tied the game up in the closing minutes of the second period when Sheedy picked the pocket of the Panthers defender before passing the puck to Abigail Shearer (Falmouth, NS) who fired a shot from the slot but once again Deschenes was able to make a great right pad save.

The second period ended with a score of 2-1 in favor of the Panthers.

The Panthers came out flying into the third period with the majority of the sustained pressure being played in the Tigers zone. UPEI nearly added to their lead on the power play put a specular sprawling save from Petricca denied them of getting a third.

The Panthers put the game away late in the third period as Sydnee Baker (Chatham, ON) widened the Panthers lead on the power play.

The final score of the game was the Dalhousie Tigers 1, the UPEI Panthers 3.

The Tigers next game is February 3 versus the UdeM Aigles Bleues, while the UPEI Panthers play the StFX X-Women the same day.