“Let’s go Panthers!” Hometown fans show their support after tough loss in bronze medal game
As they lined up to shake hands with their opponent after the game, chants of “let’s go Panthers!” poured from the stands as UPEI Panther fans showed their support for their team after a strong performance in the U CUP Championship.
By Thomas Becker
As they lined up to shake hands with their opponent after the game, chants of "let's go Panthers!" poured from the stands as UPEI Panther fans showed their support for their team after a strong performance in the U CUP Championship.
For the Panthers, it didn't end the way they wanted—with a medal around their neck—as the UQTR Patriotes claimed bronze after a 3-2 win. But it was a moment players and fans will remember for a long time.
"Honestly, there's a lot to think about," said Kaleb Pearson, who finished the tournament with two goals and an assist. "Everyone did a great job putting this thing on and all the boys are taking a lot out of this experience."
Pearson recorded a goal and an assist in the loss, while Ian Smallwood added UPEI's second goal.
After the game, head coach Forbes MacPherson said he was proud of his team and the fight they displayed all season long.
"There were times this week when I found myself overwhelmed. So much time went into this, and our players waited a long time for it," MacPherson said.
When asked how he would describe his team, and the physical brand of hockey they play, MacPherson said they're an energetic and exciting bunch who will lay it all on the line. And that's exactly what they did during a thrilling weekend of hockey.
"I'd rather tame a tiger than paint stripes on a cat," he said.
For UQTR, David Noël, Mathieu Boucher and Vincent Milot-Ouellet each scored in the win. Milot-Ouellet's second-period goal was the difference in a game that was fought to the bitter end.
At 19:05, the third-year forward took the puck from behind the net, curled toward it and snuck a backhand between Jonah Capriotti and the right post for the winner.
Noël opened the scoring for UQTR just as their power play ended at 6:03 when the sophomore defenceman took a cross-ice pass from Conor Frenette and fired a one-timer by Capriotti.
About two minutes later, the Patriotes got a fortunate bounce as Michael Pellerin fired the puck from the blue line that ricocheted off the end boards to Boucher, who put away the slap shot to make it 2-0.
The Panthers came out strong in the second period and trimmed the deficit in half about two and a half minutes in. After taking a cross-ice pass from Zac Beauregard, Carson MacKinnon fired a shot that hit the goalie and popped in the air where Pearson got a touch on the puck before it found the back of the net.
UPEI continued to play well in the frame and tied it up on a goal from Smallwood as he fired a slap shot by Alexis Gravel from the point at 15:40.
However, UQTR got one of those goals back in the final minute and went into the break ahead by one on Milot-Ouellet's go-ahead score.
That goal proved to be the difference, as both teams battled hard in a scoreless third period trying to get the desired result with the Patriotes ultimately prevailing.
Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan and Mike Needham
