Panthers outlast Huskies to win 7-5

(Halifax, NS) The UPEI Panthers outlasted the Saint Mary's Huskies in a 7-5 win at the Dauphinee Centre, to open up the 2^nd semester of play in AUS men's hockey action.

The Panthers got on the board early when Filip Rydstorm (Stockholm, SWE) scored 52 seconds into the opening frame.  Assists came from Kyle Maksimovich and Kameron Kielly. 

Rydstorm found the back of the net again at the 6:16 mark on another goal to give the Panthers a 2-0 lead.  Matt Brassard and Kameron Kielly assisted on the goal.

With the shots 6-13 in favor of the Huskies, UPEI made it 3-0 on a goal by TJ Shea (Tignish, PE).  The goal came on a shot that SMU was unable to clear and slap after slap, made it past Brassard.

The period ended 3-0 for the visiting Panthers and shots 13-7 for the Huskies. 

Fans got lots more of scoring action in the 2^nd, when the Huskies capitalized on the power play.  On their 5^th power play of the game, Stephen Johnson (Moncton, NB) ripped one past Hofley to open the scoring for SMU.  Assists came from Repaci and Hampton. 

The Huskies would get another power play chance soon after on a bench minor penalty to the Panthers.  This time captain, Anthony Repaci (Toronto, ON) scored with helpers from Nick Welsh and Mitchell Balmas, to make it 3-2.

Shortly after that goal, Balmas got a shorthanded breakaway at center ice, but Hofley stopped him at the net. 

Adam Bateman (Caledon, ON) got the tying goal for SMU at 13:05 on an assist from Austyn Hardie. 

On a Beaton penalty for interference, the Panthers took advantage and took a 4-3 lead at 15:53 on a goal by Kyle Maksimovich (Oakville, ON) from Rydstorm and Headrick. 

The Panthers got another quick one at 17:37 on a goal by Jordan Maher (Gander, NL) to increase their lead to 5-3.

The Huskies went back on the attack, with a goal by Bronson Beaton (Springhill, NS) pulling the Huskies to within one at 17:45.

Within less than 2 minutes, on the faceoff, Stephen Johnson pushed it back to Mitchell Balmas at the point and Balmas ripped a slapshot that would tie things up at 5 a piece.

A wild one, for sure, the second period ended 5-5.  Shots were 27-15 for the Huskies.

The third period saw some back and forth play before the Panthers took the lead again on a power play goal at 8:35 on a goal from Owen Headrick (Garden River, ON).  The Panthers 6^th goal was assisted by Filip Rydstorm and Kameron Kiely. 

With the time closing in the third, Saint Mary's pulled Eric Brassard and PEI cored an empty netter to seal the 7-5 win.

Filip Rydstorm had four points on the night and was awarded the Subway Player of the Game.

Both teams will face the Axemen next.  The Huskies travel to Wolfville tomorrow night and the Panthers host Acadia on Saturday night.

Source, SMU Communications

Photo Mona Ghiz