Forsythe, Panthers blank Huskies 4-0, remain unbeaten at home

By Reegan MacAulay

Seven wins in 10 games. Four in a row. Six in the last seven. And, above all else, still unstoppable in their den.

The UPEI Panthers (7-2-1) continued their home-ice dominance on Saturday afternoon at the MacLauchlan Arena, defeating the SMU Huskies (3-4-1) 4-0 in a gritty, penalty-filled match. It was UPEI's sixth win in six games played at the Mac this season thus far.

A three-goal first-period spree helped the team's efforts, kick-started by Savannah Hicks and Maren Holt scoring two goals within 32 seconds. Ashley McCutcheon added another on a power play in the final minute. A third-period power play goal by Kierra St. Peter sealed the deal for the Panthers' win, which head coach Sean Fisher said showcased the group's pride.

"There is a lot of pride from this group," Fisher said. "They're proud of the institution, the program, our building, representing the island, the province. All that stuff matters."

Sarah Forsythe claimed her second shutout win this season and first at home, stopping all 31 Huskies shots to improve her personal record to 3-2-1. After a tough start with a season-opening loss to St. Thomas, she has since helped her team earn a point in every game she's started.

"I'm very excited about it," Forsythe said about the shutout. "But honestly, it was an entire team effort. The fact is, I can't score goals, and I'm very grateful for the team in front of me that can. I have the utmost faith in the defense in front of me. Blocking shots, blocking down, boxing out. I love all six of them."

Fisher said that, while the team was tired and not perfect, Forsythe was.

"She was awesome," Fisher said. "She's worked really, really hard and been a great goaltender in this program for a long time. Happy to see she's getting that success. She was dialled in today. She was big, square, held pucks, fighting through traffic and all those big, strong forwards in front of her."

Hicks capitalized on a rebound off a shot by Jessica Mercer from the right-wing boards, which deflected off St. Peter's stick and to Hicks at the top of the crease for the 1-0 goal at 13:33 of the first. Mercer wasn't done contributing – at 14:05, she rushed down the left wing into the offensive zone and fired a shot from the left faceoff dot, deflecting perfectly off the goaltender's pad toward Holt for her to pot a backhand rebound goal.

McCutcheon's goal at 19:31 was a redirection in the low slot off a shot from the top of the right circle by Renée Chapman. St. Peter's power play marker at 7:36 of the third occurred amidst a crease scramble after Chloe McCabe snapped the puck from the bottom of the right circle.

Fisher said getting the power plays going is important for the group.

"It doesn't have to be the only way we generate offense, but it has to contribute in some ways," Fisher said. "It did that this weekend, so really happy with that."

The Panthers will now prepare for the ultimate showdown next Friday with a trip to Fredericton, N.B., for a first-vs-second clash against the UNB Reds (7-2-0). The Reds trail UPEI by one point for the top spot, but have one game in hand and are on a five-game winning streak.

"It'll be a tough challenge and a tough barn to play in," Fisher said. "We're going to have to really balance the rest and work throughout the week. We're going to have to have a really good week of preparation as we gear up for a nationally-ranked opponent."

Forsythe is certainly ready for the challenge, subtly recalling the team's last result against UNB this season – a 3-0 home-opening stunner in October.

"We've done it once and we're ready to do it again," Forsythe said.

Photos by Janessa Vanden Broek