Reds survive Panthers’ scoring barrage, win 5-3
The UNB Reds are closing in on a first round bye.
By Thomas Becker
The UNB Reds are closing in on a first round bye.
After Sunday afternoon's 5-3 win over the UPEI Panthers, the Reds' (19-5-0) magic number now sits at one. A win in their next game will send them directly to the semifinals.
The Reds survived a Panthers scoring barrage midway through the game before netting three unanswered goals to claim the victory.
Katelyn Scott (Almonte, ON) found the back of the net twice, while Rylee Strohm (Kingsville, ON), Jorja Nystrom (Leduc, AB) and Lauren Carter (Milton, ON) scored the final three goals of the game. Veteran forward Lillian George (Nipissing First Nation) chipped in with three assists to maintain her standing as the AUS points leader.
The Panthers (6-15-3) did well keeping pace with a powerful UNB squad, but a fortunate bounce for the visitors led to the opening goal. At 5:16, the puck leaked in front to Scott, whose shot hit a skate and bounced over the goalie before sliding across the line.
Scott added to the Reds' lead at 4:18 of the second period when George slid a backhand pass to the rookie, who wired a wrist shot past Sarah Forsythe (Riverview, NB).
Less than two minutes later, the Panthers stormed in front as they erupted for three goals in just two minutes and 51 seconds. UPEI capitalized on a couple UNB penalties that were called 50 seconds apart. Orianna MacNeil (Mabou, NS) opened the floodgates at 6:13 when she wrapped around the left circle before firing a wrist shot by goaltender Kendra Woodland (Kamloops, BC). At 7:39, Chiara Esposito (Winnipeg, MB) tipped Anjali Simms' (Delta, BC) shot from the point to tie the game at two apiece. Then, at 9:03, McKinley Nelson (Calgary, AB) got a great look from the right circle and sniped a wrist shot in the top corner.
The Reds returned the favour in the period's final minutes, netting a pair of power play goals themselves. With three minutes remaining, Strohm put away the tying goal in the open cage as Forsythe was caught out of position during a scramble in front of the net. Nystrom then tied the game with four seconds to spare.
The third period was another fierce battle between the two teams, but UNB added a big insurance goal at 13:37 to put the game away. Carter tipped Robyn Brokenshire's (St. Albert, AB) shot from the point over Forsythe's left shoulder for the well-executed goal.
Forsythe finished the game with 14 saves, while Woodland turned aside 27 shots.
The Panthers travel to Sackville, NB, Wednesday night to take on the Mount Allison Mounties, while the Reds host the Saint Mary's Huskies Friday night.
Photo Credit: Kirsten Larkin
