The wait is over: The stretch that shapes the season

By Thomas Becker

With winter championships on the horizon and playoff races tightening across the board, UPEI's varsity teams return to action this week looking to make some noise. From championship chases and breakout stars to critical home stretches and rising young cores, the Panthers are entering the most important stretch of the season where every shift, shot, and stride carries real weight.

WOMEN'S HOCKEY

In the thick of a title race

UPEI enters the second half of the season firmly in the championship conversation.

The Panthers sit third in the AUS at 10-5-2 (22 points), just two points back of the St. FX X-Women and UNB Reds, who share identical 12-4-0 records atop the standings. It's a tightly packed race—one where a short winning streak could push UPEI into first, while a cold stretch could quickly reshape the playoff picture.

Saint Mary's (7-7-2, 16 points) currently holds the final playoff spot, but sits just two points clear of Moncton (8-6-2), underscoring how little margin for error exists down the stretch. For the Panthers, however, the path is clear: they control their own destiny and are well-positioned to secure their first postseason berth since 2022-23.

Leading the charge is third-year forward Brooke Henderson, who's enjoying a breakout campaign and currently leads the entire AUS in goals (11). Fourth-year Kierra St. Peter has already eclipsed her previous career high and ranks third in conference scoring with eight goals with 11 games still to play.

On the blue line, Orianna MacNeil is having her strongest season since her Rookie of the Year campaign, sitting third among all defenders in scoring with 11 points (3G, 8A). And in goal, Erin Cabaday has emerged as one of the league's premier netminders, posting a 1.58 GAA and .934 save percentage.

MEN'S HOCKEY

Building toward peak time

The message for the Panthers in the second half is simple: keep climbing.

UPEI sits fifth in the AUS at 10-8-0, just seven points out of the second-place bye currently held by Acadia, and is well on pace to clinch its playoff berth by the end of January. 

Sophomore forward Robert "Bobby" Orr continues to drive the offence, ranking fifth in the conference with 23 points (10G, 13A). Rookie Colby Huggan has been equally impactful, tied for seventh in scoring with 20 points (6G, 14A) and quickly emerging as the early frontrunner for AUS Rookie of the Year. Captain Ben McFarlane joins Orr and three others tied for third in the league with 10 goals.

In net, Jakob Robillard has found his stride in his third season. After two challenging years, the veteran has played more minutes than any goalie in the conference and ranks third in GAA (2.67) and fourth in save percentage (.911).

With the University Cup being hosted by Saint Mary's this season, the AUS will send three teams to nationals, making every point down the stretch that much more critical.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Right where they want to be

Ever since Matt Gamblin took over behind the bench, the Panthers have become a perennial title contender, and this season has been no different.

UPEI currently sits second in the AUS at 8-3 and controls its own destiny for the coveted championship-weekend bye at the AUS Championships (Feb. 20–22).

Despite the departure of program legend Lauren Rainford, the Panthers haven't skipped a beat. Seniors Grace Lancaster and Devon Lawlor have become the focal points of the offence, with Lancaster posting career-high numbers across the board. She ranks fourth in conference scoring at 16.5 points per game, while Lawlor's 12.5 per game places her ninth. 

The next generation is already making its mark as well. Gamblin's 2025 recruiting class—Ingrid Khuong, Ella Simmons, and Regan Cornford—has delivered big moments and steady growth. Expect at least two of the three to make the AUS All-Rookie Team by season's end.

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Still time to make noise

It's been a season of transition for the Panthers, following the departure of two cornerstone players in Kamari Scott and Daniel Gonzalez Longarela—losses that were always going to be difficult to replace.

The result has been inconsistency, but not resignation.

UPEI sits at 4-7, but with seven of their final nine games coming at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, the Panthers don't just have a path they have a home-court runway to climb back into the playoff picture and give themselves a chance to defend their title.

Fourth-year guard Kyree Thompson remains the engine of the offence and is enjoying a strong campaign. The go-to scorer ranks fourth in the AUS at 15.9 points per game and is firmly in the mix for his first conference all-star selection.

WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD

Youth with upside

Despite losing key medalists, the Panthers will go into the AUS Championships with a young roster primed to compete and make noise across multiple events.

Rookie Lilly MacVicar is already ranked top-four in both the 60m and 300m and has a chance to podium potential, while Sophie Crabbe continues to rise in the 600m. The relay units featuring MacVicar, Bianca Boutilier, Maiya Chaudhary, and Crabbe are positioned to contend for medals across the 4x200m and 4x400m.

In combined events, rookies Isabelle MacKinnon and Alyssa Fortune bring pentathlon medal upside.

MEN'S TRACK & FIELD

A program on the rise

The Panthers enter championship season with a young group that is built to surprise and steadily climb the team standings, fuelled by depth across sprints, middle distance, combined events, and relays.

Rookie John McGowan has quickly emerged as a legitimate medal threat in the 60m, while Michael Mashingaidze continues to close the gap. Avery Baker (pole vault), Scott Davis (heptathlon), Benji Dueck (600m), and Joel Gallant (3000m) all bring added upside.

Much of the Panthers' upside lies in their relay teams, led by a 4x200m group with podium potential and supported by point-scoring depth in the 4x400m and 4x800m.

CURLING

Unfinished business

Men: The Panthers were one shot away from the AUS Final a year ago.

Led by skip Jack MacFadyen, with Chase MacMillan, Luke Butler, and newcomer Davis Nicholson, UPEI returns mostly the same core that went 3-2 at the 2025 AUS Championships and reached the semifinals, where they ultimately fell 6-4 to UNB after four unanswered points late in the match. 

Women: After a season away from competition, the women's team is back.

Veterans Rachel MacLean and Beth Stokes will anchor a new-look lineup that also features rookies Kacey Gauthier, Clara Jack, and Ella Lenentine—blending experience with fresh energy as UPEI returns to the AUS curling circuit.

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