Lexie Murphy nets two in win over Mount Allison

By Thomas Becker

Behind an outstanding performance from captain Lexie Murphy, the UPEI Panthers earned a 4-2 win over the Mount Allison Mounties. 

Coming into the game, the fifth-year forward was mired in a 10-game goalless drought, but she erased any memory of that as she took over in the third period, where she scored her first two goals of the season.

Sophie Bujold and Ashley McCutcheon also scored in the win, while Dallis Mackenzie and Hailey Simoneau found the back of the net for the Mounties (0-8-3).

"We haven't had too many wins this year, but we came together this week and tried to figure out what we were missing and what we needed to do," Murphy said. "The atmosphere in the locker room totally changed this week and it showed today on the ice." 

The game was competitive from the start, with neither team able to score in the first period. The Panthers (3-8) controlled the pace early, outshooting their opponent 6-0, but Mount Allison struck back later in the frame and carried an 8-6 shot advantage into the second period.

The Mounties would break the deadlock after the midway point of the period when Mackenzie took a loose puck from the neutral zone to the slot, where she slung a wrist shot by goaltender Sarah Forsythe for the 1-0 advantage.

However, UPEI responded with a goal at 15:19 when Bujold took a pass from Sarah Fraser near the corner, where she fired a shot from a tough angle that somehow got past netminder Skye McDonald. 

The Mounties came out of the second intermission strong and broke the tie quickly, as Simoneau tipped Island Bernard-Docker's shot from the point and watched as the puck slid across the goal line at 2:08.

Each time Mount Allison took the lead, the Panthers came right back. Forty-eight seconds later, Ruby Loughton tried to centre the puck from behind the net, but her pass deflected off a few skates before sliding to Murphy, who shovelled a shot over the goalie for the power play marker.

The Panthers would score the go-ahead goal at 7:43 when Anjali Simms' low shot was tipped in front by McCutcheon and snuck past McDonald to make it 3-2. Murphy added an empty net goal with 12 seconds to spare as the Panthers locked up their third win of the campaign.

Forsythe showcased her agility and sharp reflexes in a 22-save performance, while McDonald turned aside 27 shots.

After the game, Panthers head coach Sean Fisher applauded the special teams unit and their effectiveness tonight, especially in the third period where the game was decided.

"Our PK has been really good all year, but our power play unit shone tonight and was rewarded," he said. "The team showed some great resilience in the third, and that was important for our group."

The Panthers have a quick turnaround and will face the UNB Reds Saturday night, while the Mounties take on the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues for a rare Thursday night showdown.

Photo Credit: Kirsten Larkin