Jolena Gillard nets pair as Panthers take down Moncton 3-0

By Thomas Becker

Jolena Gillard made certain the UPEI Panthers would come away with a victory Wednesday night as she netted a pair of third-period goals to defeat the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues 3-0. 

The third-year forward extended her point streak to six games, while rookie forward Ruby Loughton recorded her first Atlantic University Sport (AUS) goal in the opening period. Panthers goaltender Sasha Weekes continued to shine between the pipes, where she made 21 saves and earned her second consecutive shutout. 

Even though they were playing against a team that was limited to just 12 skaters and one goalie, the Panthers couldn't take advantage early on and struggled to maintain any energy they had in the first period. 

Moncton netminder Audrey Berthiaume may have been the best player on the ice in the first 20 minutes, as she made a couple early stops to keep it tied at zero. Berthiaume's first denial came six and half minutes in when she slid across the crease and made a save on McKinley Nelson, who couldn't connect from the side of the net. Then, about four minutes later, she came up big again by stopping Lexie Murphy's shorthanded breakaway. 

Berthiaume was perfect until 18:56 when Loughton skated through the neutral zone and from the left wing unloaded a wobbly shot past her for the game's opening goal. 

Despite going into the intermission leading by a goal, Panthers head coach Bruce Donaldson wasn't pleased with his team's effort, especially knowing the goals they hope to achieve come playoff time and later at nationals. 

"We weren't competing, and we weren't moving the puck like we needed to," he said. "From there, I thought we were better and we played more like ourselves."

After a scoreless second period, the Panthers added some insurance two and half minutes into the third when Ally Clements' shot deflected off a Moncton skate to Gillard, who beat Berthiaume gloveside. 

Gillard added her second of the game on a well-orchestrated give-and-go. With seven minutes remaining, Gillard dropped a pass off in the slot for Taylor Gillis, who sent a cross-ice pass back to her linemate for the easy chip shot. 

After the game, UPEI head coach Bruce Donaldson spoke about the importance of having his best players deliver when things aren't always going as planned.

"The reality is we need some of our big guns to finish if we're going to win hockey games, and tonight we needed it," Donaldson said of Gillard's performance in crunch time. 

With three games remaining before the postseason, Gillard hopes the team can build off these last two wins.

"We lost pretty bad to St. FX Saturday night and bouncing back from that has been key for us," she said. "We're just trying to get everyone back together and on the same page, so that we can make a strong push in the final stretch."

Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan