Panthers’ playoff hopes take a hit after 1-0 loss to Dalhousie

By Thomas Becker 

The UPEI Panthers were dealt a heavy blow to their playoff hopes after falling to the Dalhousie Tigers 1-0 Sunday afternoon.

The Panthers (5-11-2) came in looking to chase down the Tigers (10-9), who are sitting in the final playoff spot with the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues. The game had significant implications with a four-point swing at stake. Unfortunately for UPEI, it didn't go their way. Instead of climbing within four points of a postseason spot, they now find themselves eight points back with 10 games to go. Still plenty of time to get back in it, but they need to start stringing wins together.

"It was a tough one to swallow for our group. I thought we played a complete game. We were better than our opponent in every facet of the game; we just couldn't finish," said Panthers head coach Sean Fisher. "This weekend was kind of a law of averages. We were fortunate to get the result yesterday but deserved a better fate today."

Riding the high of Saturday's big win over Moncton, the Panthers came into this matchup with a lot of energy, as they consistently controlled the pace of play, outshooting the Tigers by almost double, 31-16. 

But goaltending was the difference in the end. Grace Beer stood tall in a shutout performance while the defence did its part, forcing their opponent to shoot from outside more often than not.

Sarah Forsythe played well on the other end, but a flukey goal in the first period was all the Tigers needed. Around the seven-minute mark, UPEI's Stephanie Leger and Dalhousie's Lexie Small got tangled up near the crease where Small's stick inadvertently hit Forsythe's mask, knocking the goalie off her feet. The puck returned to the left circle, where Isabella Weist chipped a shot on net that skipped by the netminder and in. 

Knowing the importance of the game, the Panthers did everything in their power to add to their win total. The defence limited what the Tigers wanted to do offensively, while the offence put shots on net. But it wasn't enough in the end, as Dalhousie held on for the win.

The Panthers look to rebound from this loss next Friday when they travel to Antigonish, NS to take on the St. FX X-Women, while the Tigers travel to Sackville, NB for a game against the Mount Allison Mounties.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek