Panthers fall 6-1 to Huskies

In AUS men's hockey action the UPEI Panthers fell to the Saint Mary's Huskies Friday night at the Bell Aliant Centre. In a game decided by special teams, the Saint Mary's Huskies defeat the Panther 6-1.

In the first period, Saint Mary's dictated the pace early with some quality scoring chances, however, UPEI was able to adjust and get a some chances of their own. It was a fast paced period, which saw SMU lead in shots 13-12.

The second period was where things began to open up, SMU capitalized on two power play opportunities. Following a turnover in the neutral zone, Garlent broke in behind the defence and put it short side on starting goaltender Simon Hofley. In the second half of the period, the Huskies were able to get set up in the Panther zone and after some god puck movement, Calder Brooks was able to get a good look and put it over a sprawling Hofley to put the Panthers up 2-0. With the Panthers looking to capitalize on their own power play, the Huskies got a bounce off the glass right to Brooks, who touched up a pass to Aaron Berisha, who had a breakaway from the blue line and was able to beat Hofley blocker side shorthanded. Huskies took a comfortable 3-0 lead into the second intermission.

The third and final period saw much of the same the second period played out with seven total infractions between both teams. Approaching the mid way point of the final frame, Bronson Beaton was able to jam in his first of the night. The Panthers responded late in the frame with a power play goal of their own from Kameron Kielly. Saint Mary's was able to score a couple late goal, an empty netter from Dawson Theede. The final tally for the Huskies came from Island native Thomas Stavert with 22 seconds left to go in the game.

The Panthers are back in action tomorrow night against the Acadia Axemen at 7 pm at the MacLauchlan Arena. Huskies travel to Fredericton to face the UNB Reds.