Panthers await revenge-seeking X-men and Tigers with a pair of weekend home games

By Reegan MacAulay

The UPEI Panthers men's hockey team (10-11-1-2) has had a strong start to the second half of the season with a 3-1-0-2 record, picking up eight points in the last six games, including a three-game win streak at one point. Currently two points behind the St. Francis Xavier University X-Men (12-12-1-0) with 23 points, the young Panthers are eager to climb the standings and chase after home-ice advantage come playoff time.

Six games remain in the second half, and UPEI is scheduled to play two this weekend with a pair of home games at MacLauchlan Arena. Coming to Charlottetown will be StFX on Friday, Jan. 26 and the Dalhousie Tigers (6-17-2-0) on Saturday, Jan. 27, both seeking revenge after losing to the Panthers during UPEI's road trip to Nova Scotia earlier this month.  

UPEI beat StFX in a defensive clinic 3-2 on Jan. 13, and routed Dalhousie 7-2 on Jan. 12. In the latter game, top Atlantic University Sport (AUS) goal scorer and veteran forward Kaleb Pearson scored two goals and five points. 

Recently, StFX ended a three-game losing streak with a close 6-5 win against Dalhousie on Jan. 24. Despite that, the X-Men have struggled in the second half of the season, with only two wins in seven games, compared to 10 wins in 18 games in the first half. Veteran forwards Matthew Struthers, Jacob Hudson, and Liam Hawel continue to light up the scoresheets, with Struthers on a 23-game point streak, Hudson recording nine points in the last six games, and Hawel recording three goals and five points in the Jan. 24 win against Dalhousie. 

It's been a marathon of a season for veteran goaltender Joseph Raaymakers, who's been in goal for StFX in every one of the last 12 games, which includes only four wins. Overall, he has nine wins, 11 losses, a .908 save percentage, and a 3.10 goals-against average in 21 games played. 

Meanwhile, Dalhousie remains stuck at the bottom of the standings with 14 points and has recorded only two wins in the last seven games. The Tigers are likely out of contention for a playoff spot but aren't entirely out at four points behind the Acadia University Axemen (7-13-1-3). Dalhousie has struggled on the road with only two wins in 13 away games. Veteran forward Shaun Miller remains hot with five points in the last four games, and fellow veteran forward Derek Gentile has slowly turned his slump around with eight points in the last six games. 

In goal, it's been a rough season for veteran Alexander MacDonald and rookie Nicholas Chenard. MacDonald hasn't won a game since November and Chenard has allowed a 6.25 goals against average in his last four starts. However, rookie Robbie Forbes impressed recently with 55 saves and a .948 save percentage in a 5-3 against Acadia on Jan. 19. 

As for UPEI, the Panthers have struggled at home with just three wins in 12 games, but the squad has always put on an entertaining show in front of their fans.  

While the usual names continue to shine, other players have stepped up. Veteran defenseman and captain Kurtis Henry has seven points in the last six games, which included a five-game point streak.

The top rookies continue to shine, as forward Noah Sedore has averaged 1.7 points per game since the beginning of the second half, including two three-point games. Hometown forward Keiran Gallant ended a three-game point skid with a beautiful shorthanded goal against UNB, while forward Patrick LeBlanc scored two assists in a 5-4 comeback overtime win in Moncton on Jan. 18. 

In goal, it's been a rookie clinic the last two games. Joe Ranger had a rough start against Moncton but kept the Panthers in it until the end, denying 28 of 32 shots in the overtime win. Against UNB, Jakob Robillard made his long-awaited debut after rehabbing from an injury suffered in September and turned aside 31 of 38 shots.  

Fun fact, like Ranger and veteran Jonah Capriotti before him, Robillard faced UNB in his first-career AUS start. 

Friday and Saturday's game times are both at 7 p.m. Buy single game tickets at panthertickets.ca.