Coxhead scores OT winner in thrilling 3-2 victory over Panthers

HALIFAX, NS – Saint Mary's captain Andrew Coxhead scored his second overtime winning goal in less than a week, as the Huskies won their third straight game, defeating the UPEI Panthers 3-2 in a thrilling game on Wednesday night at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax.

The Huskies were boosted all night by a raucous crowd of British Royal Navy supporters from HMS KENT, who were chanting throughout the game and were especially enthusiastic towards big hits and physical play.

Both teams exchanged scoring opportunities early in the first period – Huskies forward Reid Valade (Caledon, ON) was stopped by Panthers goaltender Jonah Capriotti (Charlottetown, PEI). Panthers forwards Kaleb Pearson (St. Mary's, ON) and Noah Sedore (Sharon, ON) had a pair of opportunities in tight, but Huskies goaltender Jeremy Helvig (Kingston, ON) turned them away.

It was the Panthers who would hit the scoresheet first, as forward Landon Clow (Kelvin Grove, PE) received a pass from linemate Josh Currie (Pickering, ON) and snuck a snapshot past Helvig for his first career AUS regular season goal, putting the visitors up 1-0, 9:10 into the first period.

The Panthers nearly doubled their lead moments later as forward Cade Kowalski (Mordern, MB) snuck out on a partial break, but Helvig shut the door.

The Huskies outshot the Panthers 14-10 in the first period, but it was the visitors who took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.

Early in the second period, the Huskies found their equalizer, as linemates Ben Allison (Halifax, NS), Bradey Johnson (Lindsay, ON) and Thomas Casey (Charlottetown, PEI) combined on a nifty passing play, with Casey finishing it off for his sixth marker of the season, tying the game at 1-1 just 1:17 into the second period, much to the delight of the British Navy.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

A nice passing play results in a goal from Thomas Casey to tie the game at 1-1 early in the second period! @SMUMensHockey

��T. Casey (6)
��B. Allison
��B. Johnson pic.twitter.com/lHqy45bpAY

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 30, 2023

Midway through the period, the Huskies had a powerplay opportunity and were able to fire several shots on Capriotti, but couldn't capitalize with a goal.

With just over a minute remaining in the second period, Huskies captain Andrew Coxhead (Bedford, NS) intercepted a pass in the Huskies zone, and snuck a pass up the right wing to forward Declan McDonnell (Buffalo, NY), who beat Capriotti with a backhand shot in tight to give the home team a 2-1 advantage.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

The reigning U SPORTS Player of the Week keeps his hot streak going! Declan McDonnell scores late in the second period to put @SMUMensHockey up 2-1!

��D. McDonnell (7)
��A. Coxhead
��B. Roger pic.twitter.com/kqpQwCWrOq

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 30, 2023

The Huskies outshot the Panthers 11-7 in the second period, and took a 2-1 lead into intermission.

The exciting play continued into the third period, with good pace and scoring opportunity on both ends. Just over five minutes into the third, the Panthers equalized as defenceman Leon Denny (Eskasoni, NS) fired a point shot that beat a screened Helvig to tie it up at 2-2.

The next 14:32 of regulation would solve nothing, as neither team was able to find a go-ahead goal and the game headed into overtime tied 2-2.

Through the first three and a half minutes of overtime, it appeared as if the game was headed towards a shootout, but the Huskies were awarded a powerplay with just 1:25 remaining in the extra frame. The Panthers killed off over a minute of the powerplay, but Allison came charging in on goal – Capriotti made the initial save, but the rebound made its way to McDonnell, who made a great pass to Coxhead, who scored the overtime winning goal.

HUSKIES HIGHLIGHTS ��

What a finish to a Wednesday night thriller at the Dauph! Captain Andrew Coxhead scores his second OT winner in less than a week to deliver @SMUMensHockey their third straight win, 3-2 over the Panthers!

��A. Coxhead (3)
��D. McDonnell
��B. Allison pic.twitter.com/XWF3Ko4IAc

— Saint Mary's Huskies (@SMUHuskies) November 30, 2023

Andrew Coxhead was named Player of the Game for the Huskies with a goal and an assist. The goal marked his second overtime winning goal in less than a week, as he finished off the Dalhousie Tigers last Friday night at the Halifax Forum.

The Huskies outshot the Panthers 40-24 on the night, with Jeremy Helvig making 22 saves for the win, while Jonah Capriotti turned away 37 shots in an outstanding performance for the visitors.

The Huskies third straight win improves their record to 9-8-0-0 on the campaign. The Huskies will wrap up the 2023 portion of their schedule on Friday night, as they visit the Acadia Axemen (4-10-0-2) at 7 p.m. in Wolfville, N.S., for their final game before the winter break.

The Panthers loss drops their record to 6-10-1-0 on the season. They'll be back in action on Saturday night, hosting the Acadia Axemen at 7 p.m. in Charlottetown, PEI.

Recap by Allan April / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics
Photos by Mona Ghiz / Saint Mary's Huskies Athletics