Reds defeat Panthers at the Bell Aliant Centre Friday night

(Charlottetown, PE) In AUS men's hockey action, the UPEI Panthers hosted the top-ranked UNB Reds at MacLauchlan Arena Friday night. A four-goal second period for the Reds set them up for a 9-4 victory.

Both teams came ready to play as the opening frame saw some high paced action. The Panthers opened the scoring with a beauty goal from Gabe Guertler at the seven-minute mark. The goal was assisted by Kameron Kielly and Olivier Arseneau. UPEI saw their only lead go away with a Reds goal from Tyler Boland, who banged in a rebound from a Randy Gazzola shot, Olivier LeBlanc chipped in the other assist. UNB was able to take the lead shortly after the 19 minute mark with a nice shot off the rush from Mark Rassell. Noah Carroll and Alexandre Goulet chipped in with the assists.

In the second, UNB capitalized on their chances scoring four goals in the middle frame. The first one came in the opening minute with a goal from Chris Clapperton. Stephen Anderson and Gazzola chipped in on the assists. Down 3-1, the Panthers hit the post twice before Boland found the back of the net after joining the play late on a nice shot from the slot. It was a breakout pass from Gazzola, and a set up from Kris Bennett to put the Reds up 4-1. Less than thirty seconds later UNB struck again on a goal from Rassell. For the Panthers, captain Brent Andrews tipped in a shot from Riley Whittingham and Luke Kirwan. Twenty-four seconds later, the Reds scored again to regain their four-goal lead. Before the end of the third period, the checking line for the Panthers scored again this time Luke Kirwan with his first as a Panther, Whittingham, and Andrews chipped in with the assists.

In the final frame, UNB scored three straight goals in the period from Anderson, Rassell, and McEwan. The Panthers were able to muster one late in the period with a goal from Kirwan.

The Panthers are back in action Saturday night when they head on the road to face the UdeM Aigles Bleus at 7 pm.