Overtime blues: Panthers fall to Moncton 3-2

By Thomas Becker

The dreaded overtime period haunted the UPEI Panthers once again, as they fell to the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus 3-2 Wednesday night. 

Marie-Pier Corriveau played the part of hero with the overtime tally, but it was teammate Sarah-Ève Maihot who made the biggest impact, recording the two regulations goals, while adding an assist on the winner. 

"Special teams played a big role tonight," said Panthers head coach Bruce Donaldson. "They had two power play goals and seven opportunities. You can't spend a whole period in the penalty box and not expect it to hurt you at some point." 

Before the start of the contest, Moncton (7-8-2) held a slim one-point lead over UPEI (4-7-6) for fifth spot in the standings, but after today's results their lead increased to two. 

In the opening period, the Aigles Bleus had a pair of power play opportunities to UPEI's one. Both teams struggled to generate any offence from them, as they combined for eight total shots – five for the road squad and three for the Panthers.

However, the Panthers were able to strike at 7:40 of the second. Kristen MacIntyre found Subway Player of the Game Emma Weatherbie leaking out behind the Moncton defence to beat Gabrielle Forget shorthanded for the 1-0 advantage.

Late in the period, Moncton finally capitalized on a power play – their fifth at the time – when Maihot followed her own shot and tucked it away for the equalizer. 

"We gave them too many opportunities on the power play and eventually it came back to bite us," Donaldson said.

Moncton was at it again at 4:25 of the third period, as Maihot, in a similar fashion, scored with the man-advantage to put her team ahead 2-1. 

But the Panthers returned the favour on a power play of their own just two minutes later, when Weatherbie registered her second goal of the contest, tying the game at two apiece and sending it to overtime.

It was in the extra frame where Corriveau deposited the puck past a sprawling Camille Scherger for the game-winner.

The Panthers hit the road next where they'll take on the defending champion Saint Mary's Huskies. Puck drops on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m.