Huskies put away Panthers with third period magic
The Saint Mary’s University Huskies returned home Friday night in AUS Men’s Hockey action as they played host to the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers.
HALIFAX, NS—The Saint Mary's University Huskies returned home Friday night in AUS Men's Hockey action as they played host to the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers.
The second visit by the Panthers to the Dauphinee centre in 9 days created a rivalry game early in the season.
Both teams spent the first period sizing each other up – end to end action while both netminders kept their respective teams at bay. UPEI's Jonah Capriotti and the Huskies own Matt Welsh (Halifax / Commerce).
The Huskies wasted no time in the second frame as they lit the lamp 23 seconds in to take a 1-0 lead. Nathan Dunkley (Campbellford ON / Commerce) was the scorer while assists went to Dennis Busby (Oro-Medonte ON / Arts) and Joel Bishop (St. John's NL / Commerce).
The Panthers drew even in the later half of the period on a goal by Darian Pilon to knot the contest 1-1 at the end of two periods.
Déjà vu was the theme in the third period as the Huskies used a surge to put the game out of reach – similar to an earlier match between the two. Mitchell Balmas (Sydney NS / Commerce) and Bradley Johnson (Lindsay ON / Arts) scored seconds apart seven minutes into the third to put the home squad up 3-1. Busby grabbed assists on both goals with Cedric Ralph (Peterborough ON / Arts) and Justin Macpherson (East Gwillimbury ON / Commerce) earned one apiece.
The home team increased their lead mind period when Walter Flower (Lunenburg NS / Commerce) put one past Capriotti on nice passing exchange with Bishop and Sam King (Hampton NB / Commerce) earning helpers.
The resilient Panthers looked to find a spark put were stopped by Welsh as the Huskies held on for a hard-fought 4-1 victory.
Welsh finished the game with 40 saves on 41 shots earning him AUS Subway Player of the Game.
The Huskies are back in action again November 5 as they play host to Dalhousie University at the Dauphinee Centre.
The Panthers travel to the Valley Saturday to take on Acadia University.
Recap and Photos: SMU Athletics