Panthers return to form in 5-1 win over Dalhousie

HALIFAX, NS—UPEI defeated Dalhousie 5-1 in men's hockey action on February 1, at the Halifax Forum. 

The two teams entered the game tied in the season series and the start of the game was indicative of that as the teams matched up quite evenly. It looked as though we may be headed for a defensive barn-burner before the Panthers rattled off two goals in quick succession in the final minutes of the first period. Daylon Groulx (Fort Erie, ON) and Drake Pilon (Sault Ste. Marie, ON) were responsible for the UPEI scoring.  

The Panthers continued to pull away in the second period as tempers flared and both teams ratcheted up the physicality. Midway through the period Zac Beauregard (Repentigny, QC) scored his third goal of the season by pouncing on a rebound. Dalhousie responded by upping the intensity and began to generate some quality scoring chances that just couldn't find the mark. The Tigers did their best to stay composed and did a good job of killing a penalty to finish the period, thanks to some staunch goaltending from Alexander Macdonald (Truro, NS).  

Dalhousie looked to get back on track in the third and looked like they might have a chance as Evan MacKinnon (Dartmouth, NS) was able to spring a 2-on-1 breakaway, but Jonah Capriotti (Charlottetown PE) made a great glove save to keep the Tigers scoreless. The Tigers finally managed to get on the board midway through the third when Shaun Miller lasered a wrist shot past Capriotti.  

Dalhousie fought hard but it just wasn't their night. TJ Shea (Tignish, PE) and Kyle Maksimovich (Hamilton, ON) added goals for the Panthers as they came away with a 5-1 victory. 

Beauregard, earned  Subway player of the game honours for the Panthers, tallying a goal and an assist in the game.  

UPEI's record is now 16-9, inching them within one game of the second seed in the AUS. The Tigers move to 6-19 for the season and will officially miss the playoffs.. 

Both teams will now prepare to take on STFX who sit in fourth place in the season standings. UPEI will host the X-Men this Friday night, while Dalhousie will travel to Antigonish to face them on saturday.

RECAP BY: Joe Thomson, Dalhousie Sports Information / PHOTOS BY: Trevor MacMillan