Panthers distance themselves from Aigles Bleus with 4-1 win

By Thomas Becker

The UPEI Panthers may have proven Wednesday night that the AUS is a two-team race. After defeating the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus 4-1, the second-place Panthers sit five points ahead of Moncton and the Saint Mary's Huskies, while the UNB Reds continue to hold onto the number one spot by just two points. 

TJ Shea led the way with a goal and two assists, while teammates Kyle Maksimovich recorded a goal and an assist each. Daylon Groulx also netted his first AUS goal in the win.

Nathael Roy responded with the lone goal for Moncton (10-7-0).

The Panthers (12-4-1) took advantage of undisciplined Moncton squad, as they netted two power play goals in the first period.

First, it was Maksimovich, who picked up speed through the neutral zone and got the edge on a defender before cutting toward the net and getting a low shot off. He then tapped home his own rebound to pull the team ahead 1-0 at 4:51. 

At 13:02, Shea put away the rebound off a shot from Lajeunesse from the right circle to make it 2-0.

UPEI would strike again a little over a minute into the second period when Kaleb Pearson went up the right side before dropping a pass off for Groulx, who wired a shot pass Étienne Montpetit for the 3-0 advantage. Montpetit made 28 saves in the loss, while counterpart Jonah Capriotti earned his ninth win behind a 20-save performance. 

The Aigles Bleus got that goal back at 11:53 when Roy lifted a backhand over Capriotti's blocker to trim the deficit to 3-1. 

Moncton had some life going into the third period, but a turnover in the slot allowed Lajeunesse to get an open shot on net and he didn't disappoint as he beat Montpetit glove side with the smooth wrist shot.

The Panthers host the Reds for their final game of the semester this Saturday, while the Aigle Bleus also take on the Reds the night before.

Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan