Reds’ Lillian George nets two in win over Panthers
The UPEI Panthers are still searching for their first win of the season after falling to the UNB Reds 3-1 Friday night.
By Thomas Becker
The UPEI Panthers are still searching for their first win of the season after falling to the UNB Reds 3-1 Friday night.
The Reds (2-1) scored twice in the third period on goals by Lillian George (Nipissing First Nation, ON) and Rylee Strohm (Kingsville, ON) to come away with the win.
UNB jumped on the Panthers (0-3) immediately and scored just 21 seconds into the game when Katelyn Scott (Almonte, ON) flipped a pass through the neutral zone to George, who raced it down and cut toward the net before slipping a shot under Forsythe for the opening goal.
That was just the beginning of the Reds' pressure, as they controlled the pace of play throughout the period, outshooting their opponent 13-1. UNB's defence was smothering and had not allowed a shot on net until the 16:58 mark of the frame.
The Panthers came out of the break a much better team and matched UNB's intensity, which led to more scoring opportunities. But at the 6:45 mark, an errant pass led to a George breakaway, but the veteran forward was denied by Sarah Forsythe (Riverview, NB), who finished with 27 saves and was the reason the game was close.
UPEI finally broke through at 15:05 when Carly Thompson (Cornwall, PE) passed it from the corner in front to Paige Outhouse (Williams Lake, BC), who redirected it over the goalie's shoulder and in for the equalizer.
The Panthers carried that momentum into the final stanza and, at times, looked like the better team, but the defending AUS champions delivered when it mattered most.
At 11:22, George netted her second of the game on a wicked shot that Forsythe didn't have a chance on. And with 52 seconds remaining, the Reds iced the game on Strohm's first career AUS goal.
George was named UNB's Player of the Game, while Thompson earned the honour for the home team.
The Panthers have a quick turnaround and will the St. FX X-Women at home Saturday night, while the Reds travel to Halifax to take on the Dalhousie Tigers.
Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek
