Panthers deliver 8-2 year-end, home-ice spectacle against Mounties

By Reegan MacAulay

In front of hundreds of energetic fans, kids, and young hockey players, the UPEI Panthers (10-6-1) saluted 2025 and their fan base with a fiery offensive display against the Mount Allison Mounties (0-17-0) on Friday night at the MacLauchlan Arena.

Surrounded by an electric atmosphere of loud cheers, written signs and banners of love and support from families, friends, and potential future Panthers, UPEI closed out the first semester with an 8-2 victory, a 7-1 home record, and a lively, crowded autograph session filled with smiles and joy. It was all fuelled by a message that head coach Sean Fisher delivered on day one and continues to reinforce.

"I tell the girls all the time; we have a huge responsibility to young female hockey players on this island," Fisher said. "We're the only USPORTS show in the province. Most little girls growing up playing hockey want to be a Panther. We have a major responsibility to be great role models and to give back to the community. 

"We make that a priority, and I think the girls do feed off of that. It was awesome to see so many young female minor hockey players in their jerseys celebrating, cheering, and sticking around to get autographs. It was really cool, and it doesn't get old."

Things didn't start on a high note, however, as the Mounties surprised the Panthers with a goal on their first shot, taking a 1-0 lead at 1:07 of the first period. But, not long after, UPEI responded with six goals in 30 minutes, including two on the power play.

"You don't want the first shot of the game to go in; we were just a little sleepy there, but I thought the group responded really well," Fisher said. "Ended up figuring it out by the end of the first (period). Great to see some people get their first AUS goals. The power play got clicking, and it was a solid all-around effort. Happy to put a few in the net in front of a good crowd."

Rookie Kali MacDonald's first career goal, a snap shot from the point, lit a spark underneath her and her teammates from 8:58 of the first period onward. She wasn't the only rookie to get on the scoresheet, as Clara Williams recorded her first multi-goal game, adding to the spree at 18:49 of the second and 14:26 of the third.

"Kali has really come a long way," Fisher said. "She gets better every game, is incredibly consistent, playing with more confidence, and is finally understanding what it takes to play at this level. It's a big jump from where she came from, but she's an incredible athlete who is very determined. 

"Willy has been one of the most AUS/USPORTS-ready players we've had in a very long time, and has been snakebitten all year, but she's played really well. Really happy to see her finally get the monkey off her back. We have a young team and a lot of first-year players who are in the lineup. I don't know where we'd be without them right now."

Several veterans added valuable pieces to the puzzle, including leading scorer Brooke Henderson, whose two goals (1st 16:05 PP, 2nd 14:55) rose her to 11 goals on the season, Kierra St. Peter (2nd 19:11), and Anjali Simms (3rd 17:17). 

The biggest standout, however, was Ashley McCutcheon, who posted a career-best performance with one goal (2nd 4:28) and five assists, earning her UPEI Player of the Game honours. The line of McCutcheon, Henderson, and Williams combined for five goals and seven assists.

"Feels pretty good," McCutcheon said. "Our whole line was buzzing tonight, so it was easy to get six points when I've got (Williams and Henderson) beside me. It was a great ending (to the year); Sean told us going into the game we'd have fans here, and it was a good time to put on a show for everyone in the building tonight."

After Friday, one semester is down, and one more remains. The playoffs continue to inch closer with every game, and the Panthers remain in the hunt for their first playoff appearance and winning season since 2023. Heading into the holiday break, UPEI is third in the standings with 21 points, three behind StFX and UNB, each tied for first. The top six teams are within an eight-point bubble, and only five points separate the Panthers from the playoff cutline.

Fisher hopes for a healthier roster that can take advantage of the break to return to competition stronger in 2026, along with a continued culture of togetherness and excellence.

"We still have a few injuries, and even those who are in the lineup have bumps and bruises and warrior wounds that they're dealing with," Fisher said. "The first piece is for us to get healthy. We have to continue to train, work, and monitor our fitness and nutrition. This is the time of year that, if that's not taken care of, it can really slip. 

"When we get back to playing competitive hockey in January, we have to be the best version of ourselves, which, for most of the game tonight, we were. The group likes each other. They like coming to the rink and spending time together, so we have to keep the culture moving in the right direction and keep raising the standards. That'll be the focus when we get back to it."

After the break, the Panthers will begin the second semester with a trip to StFX in Antigonish, N.S., on Friday, Jan. 9.

Photos by Pushpika Mendis and Thomas Becker