Huskies pull away late, sink Panthers 5-2
The UPEI Panthers’ playoff hopes took a hit Sunday afternoon as they fell 5-2 to the Saint Mary’s Huskies in a pivotal matchup that saw their opponent leapfrog them for the final postseason spot.
By Thomas Becker
The UPEI Panthers' playoff hopes took a hit Sunday afternoon as they fell 5-2 to the Saint Mary's Huskies in a pivotal matchup that saw their opponent leapfrog them for the final postseason spot.
With six games left and 12 points still on the table, the Panthers (9-9-4) face a critical stretch to keep their playoff dreams alive.
The Huskies (9-8-5) were powered by a standout performance from Abigail MacKenzie, who tallied a goal and two assists, while Mackenzie Beggs chipped in with a goal and an assist. Avery Cant, Anna Barrington, and Mia Faseruk also scored in the win.
For the Panthers, Orianna MacNeil shone with a goal and an assist, while Kaiya Maracle added a power-play marker in a game that saw momentum swing wildly in the third period.
Saint Mary's struck first at 5:32 of the opening period when Beggs set up Cant in front of the net for a clean finish past UPEI goaltender Sarah Forsythe. Despite falling behind, the Panthers nearly tied it late in the period. Maracle sliced through the Huskies' defence and found Julia Cey with a perfect pass, but Ridleigh Hansen made a clutch sliding save to preserve the lead.
The Panthers eventually broke through at 13:34 of the second period on a power play. Under heavy pressure, McKinley Nelson fed the puck back to MacNeil at the point, where she unleashed a wrist shot that beat Hansen to knot the game at one, setting the stage for a dramatic final frame.
Early in the third, the Panthers suffered a tough break while shorthanded. Sadie Brown's clearing attempt deflected off the boards directly to Barrington, who capitalized with a wrist shot into the top corner at 4:43, putting Saint Mary's ahead 2-1. Forsythe responded moments later with an impressive glove save on Ava Shearer, keeping the Panthers within striking distance.
Maracle rewarded Forsythe's heroics with a power-play goal at 11:07. Redirecting MacNeil's shot from the circle, Maracle tied the game at 2-2 and appeared to push the contest toward overtime.
However, Saint Mary's had other plans. Faseruk redirected a pass from MacKenzie into the net at 16:32, sparking a three-goal flurry in the final minutes. MacKenzie intercepted a pass in the neutral zone and scored five-hole at 18:03, while Beggs sealed the victory with an empty-netter.
Forsythe recorded 17 saves, while Hansen stopped 26 shots in a strong performance. The Panthers will look to regroup as they face the Dalhousie Tigers next Friday in Halifax.
Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek
