Panthers shut out Reds
In a playoff preview, the Panthers shutout the Reds on their final road trip of the regular season.
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB Reds missed an opportunity to secure home ice advantage in the first round of the Atlantic University Sport playoffs, dropping a 3-0 decision to the UPEI Panthers on Saturday.
Camille Scherger (Lloydminster, AB) stopped all 20 shots she faced in the Panthers net and was named Subway Player of the Game.
"We needed to show we can score on them," said Scherger. "We'd been having difficulties getting it past their goalie, so it gives everyone confidence."
After a scoreless opening period, Rachel Colle (Toronto, ON) put the visitors on the board at the 8:03 mark of the second. Her shot from high in the slot eluded Reds goaltender Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC), staking the Panthers to a 1-0 lead.
Then, just 72 seconds later, Maria Clinton (Souris, PE) shoveled the puck past Woodland to extend the UPEI lead to 2-0.
Reds head coach Sarah Hilworth pulled Woodland with about 90 seconds to play, and Colle scored her second of the game into the empty net.
"Everyone was playing how we needed to play," said Scherger. "I saw the puck really well. I think they were shooting glove quite a bit. Everyone was helping out, so I can't really take credit for much."
Hilworth was disappointed her team couldn't complete a regular season sweep of the Panthers, a team UNB will face in the first round of the AUS playoffs.
"We have stuff to work on now," said Hilworth. "It's really obvious, and it's nice that we got that opportunity to play a team that we're going to play in playoffs. We have to manage the puck better and we have to trust each other."
With the win, the Panthers are 14-12-1.
They play their final regular season game at home, on Sunday, against St FX.
The Reds finish their regular season with a record of 13-11-4.
While the Reds and Panthers know they'll meet again in the opening round of the playoffs, they won't know which team will host game one until after UPEI's game on Sunday.
"This week will be a big week to regroup and refocus and get ready for a new season, really," said Hilworth.
RECAP BY: Andy Campbell/UNB Athletics
PHOTOS BY: Lauren Tidd/for UNB Athletics