Huskies score with 11 seconds left, rally to beat Panthers 3-2 in OT

(Halifax, NS) The Saint Mary's University Huskies scored with 11 seconds left in the third period and again in the extra frame to knock off the University of Prince Edward Island Panthers 3-2 in overtime on Saturday, January 14 at the Halifax Forum in Halifax NS.

The win boosts the Huskies record to 11-10-1, their 23 points has them in fourth place in the AUS. The loss drops the Panthers to 8-10-4 and their 20 points has them in fifth in the AUS.

Cole Cheveldave (Calgary, AB) was the difference in goal for the Huskies making 36 saves and winning in overtime for the second night in a row. He improved his record to 4-7.

Alex Cord (Toronto, ON) (3), Kyle Pereira (Brampton, ON) (3) and Hunter Garlent (Thorold, ON) (11) lit the lamp for the Huskies.

Beau McCue (Pasco, WA) (5) and RT Rice (Invermere BC) (5) scored the goals for the Panthers.

Matt Mahalak (Monroe MI) made 23 saves for the Panthers and had his record drop to 8-13.

McCue opened the scoring with a power play goal at the 15:17 mark of the first. Austin Levi (Farmington Hills, MI) sent a pass from the left point down to JC Campagna (Dublin, OH) just beside the dot and he one touched a pass to McCue who fired five hole from the slot to make it 1-0 Panthers.

Cord evened the game at 1-1 in the second at the 11:21 mark. Garlent won a battle for the puck behind the Panthers net a tapped it to Aaron Berisha (Mississaug,a ON). At the side of the net to the right, Berisha slid a backhand pass across the top of the crease to Cord who had slipped in from the point and Cord had a tap in for the goal.

Rice put the Panthers back out in front 14:01 into the third. The Panthers had sustained pressure in the Huskies zone when Sam Aulie (Lumsden SK) got the puck on the left point he fired a shot that Kurt Etchegary (St John's NL) tipped on goal.  Cheveldave made the initial save and the rebound went to Rice who buried from just below the right circle to make it 2-1 Panthers.

Pereira was able to force overtime with just 0:11 left in the third. With the goalie pulled for the extra attacker Mark Triccett (Baddeck NS) sent a long pass up ice from his own end to Garlent who was able to gain control in the Panthers zone and send a pass from the left half wall to Pereira who blasted a one-timer glove side from just above the right circle to make it a 2-2 game.

Garlent scored the winner just 0:58 into overtime. Garlent forced a turnover just inside the Huskies blue line and raced the other way on a breakaway.  He made a strong head fake to the backhand and quickly went forehand to slide the puck five hole for the Huskies win.

The Panthers were one for seven on the power play, while the Huskies went zero for three.

Shots overall were 38-26 for the Panthers.

Up next:

The Panthers will host the Acadia Axemen in Charlottetown PE, while the Huskies go on the road to play the UNB Varsity Reds in Fredericton NB, both games are on Friday Jan. 20.

By Cam Honey-Webb

Photo Nick Pearce