Hicks makes 52 saves in 4-3 loss to UPEI

Courtesy of Thomas Becker, UPEI Athletics 

Led by Troy Lajeunesse's two goals, the UPEI Panthers snapped their four-game slide after defeating the Dalhousie Tigers 4-3 Saturday night.  

The Panthers (6-7-3) took advantage of a Dalhousie (7-8-1) five-minute major penalty late in the third period when Lajeunesse fired a one-timer that dramatically rang off the far post and crossbar before making its way in the back of the net for the deciding goal. 

 "It was a great pass from Owen (Headrick). It's something we've been working on in practice, so it's great to see it finally pay off," Lajeunesse said. "It was awesome because it was a big goal for the team."  

The third-year forward also added a helper in the win, while teammates Drake Pilon and Carson MacKinnon each put away goals. Sophomores TJ Shea and Matt Brassard recorded two assists each.  

With the conference as bunched up as it is, lengthy losing streaks can turn a promising season into a mess, so there was a sense of urgency from the Panthers coming into this game.  

"It was a huge win for us," Lajeunesse said. "We have a couple games left, so we're trying to finish strong before the Christmas break."  

UPEI had the Tigers on their heels the entire game and if it weren't for goaltender Connor Hicks, who made 51 saves, Dalhousie could've been blown out.  

Yet, it was the Tigers who opened the scoring. At 10:34 of the first period, Cameron Thompson drove hard to the net from the neutral zone and fired a wrist shot off the post before Aiden Jamieson put away the puck that netminder Jonah Capriotti couldn't find sliding along the crease.  

Lajeunesse responded six minutes later on a two-on-one opportunity where he took a pass from Shea, kicked the puck ahead before tucking a backhand over Hicks' outstretched leg.  

The Tigers took the lead right back at 17:44 when Shaun Miller pressured Capriotti behind the net and centred it to Jarrett Baker, who put it away before the goaltender could get back in position. However, that lead was short-lived as the Panthers would strike again just eight seconds later. On the faceoff draw, Lajeunesse passed it to Pilon, who stickhandled his way past a defender and wired a wrist in the top corner to tie the game at two apiece heading into the second.  

UPEI took their first lead of the game on a power play at 4:29 when Brassard found MacKinnon in the left circle, where the rookie ripped a wrist shot to the far side top corner.  

The Panthers would take their 3-2 lead into the third period where the Tigers evened the score. On a power play at 6:38, Miller sent a long pass from the point to Barret Kirwin, who snuck in toward the far post and redirected it past Capriotti.  

Brett Crossley's major penalty in the game's final five minutes cost the Tigers in the end, as Lajeunesse secured the win with his second goal at 17:16.  

"We had them on their heels for most of the game, but penalties and a little bit of everything got in the way," Lajeunesse said. "But I like how the guys fired back in the end there and got us the win."  

The Panthers travel to Moncton next Wednesday where they'll take on the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus, While the tigers play host to the Acadia Axemen.