Panthers power their way past Mount Allison behind second period surge

By Thomas Becker 

Fueled by a second period surge, the UPEI Panthers took down the Mount Allison Mounties 3-2 Friday night. 

Jolena Gillard got it started early before Ashley McCutcheon and Taylor Gillis scored a minute apart to give them a lead they'd hold onto. Mounties Lauren Steele and Molly Baxendale scored the other way. 

After a rough period in which the Panthers (6-1-2) gave up a goal just 22 seconds into the game, Gillard said the team went into the locker room with their heads down frustrated by their uninspiring play. But a motivational speech from assistant coach Lance Jones sparked a furious run. 

"Lance fired us up, and we got it done," Gillard said. "I think we could've beared down a little bit more, but two points is two points." 

The third-year forward snapped her three-game pointless streak at 4:24 in the second period when she got by a defender in the neutral zone and on a two-on-one opportunity, took it herself and sniped it top left corner to even the score. 

"I know the last few games haven't been going well," said Gillard, who leads the team with six goals and 11 points. "Our team needs me, so I have to step up."

Gillard's goal was just the beginning as McCutcheon scored the go-ahead goal at 12:52. With the man-advantage, the rookie forward skated along the boards, turned and wired a shot from the point past netminder Hanna Pagdato. 

The Panthers cushioned their lead a minute later when former Mountie Abby Beale weaved through a couple defenders leading to a 3-on-0 break, where she passed it to Gillis, who made a move on Pagdato and slipped one by her.

That goal was critical, as Mount Allison (1-9-0) trimmed the deficit to just one on a power play goal by Baxendale three minutes into the third period. Baxendale hustled for the rebound off a Rory Aiken shot and slid a backhand past McFarlane. The Panthers held on the rest of the way to stay undefeated at home.

UPEI head coach Bruce Donaldson said his team was lucky to come away with the win, especially since they had to overcome nine penalties, including two five-on-three opportunities. 

"We made some poor mental decisions today, which is uncharacteristic of us," Donaldson said. "We were fortunate to kill most of those penalties and come out of it with two points." 

The Panthers will have to play more disciplined Saturday night when they take on the first place UNB Reds in Fredericton.

Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan