Taylor Gillis nets only goal as Panthers defeat Tigers in Game 1 of AUS quarter-finals

By Thomas Becker

Sometimes all you need is a bit of luck on your side.

The UPEI Panthers benefitted from a fortunate bounce late in the third period for the game's only goal, as they defeated the Dalhousie Tigers 1-0 in Game 1 of the AUS quarter-finals. 

With less than six minutes to play, Orianna MacNeil fired a shot from the point, but instead of hitting the net, the puck went wide and deflected off Taylor Gillis' arm before finding the back of the net. 

"We had so many opportunities throughout the game and couldn't seem to get one, so it was nice to be rewarded with a lucky bounce late in the game."

Both teams looked tentative from the opening puck drop, not wanting to give up the opening goal. As a result, the first period featured just 10 shots on goal, seven of which came from the Tigers.

"It took us 20 minutes to settle in and find our groove, but I really liked our second and third periods," said Panthers head coach Sean Fisher. "Slow starts have been an issue for us lately, but our goaltender was really good in the first when we needed her." 

Sarah Forsythe recorded half of her saves in the opening 20 minutes and finished with 15 overall for her first playoff shutout. 

She wasn't challenged much in the second where the Panthers started to take over the game. They outshot their opponent 13-3 in the middle stanza but couldn't one by Grace Beer, who turned aside 30 shots and was the best Tiger on the ice.

The third period was much of the same, but this time the Panthers finally struck on Gillis' late goal to give her team the win and 1-0 series lead. 

The series now shifts to Halifax where the two teams will battle it out in Game 2 Friday night. 

With their backs against the wall, Fisher knows the Tigers will come out strong, so his team will have to match their urgency from the start.

"We have to be smart out there," Fisher said. "The team (Tigers) is well coached and they block a million shots, so we have to be ready especially in the scoring zone."

Photo Credit: Mike Needham