Panthers skate to 3-0 win over Tigers

by Kyle LaRusic

(Halifax, NS) In Friday night women's hockey action, the Dalhousie Tigers hosted the UPEI Panthers at the Halifax Forum. The Panthers picked up the 3-0 road win behind a 39 save shutout from Shaylin MacFarlane.

The game started evenly with both sides having minor scoring chances to start the period. The Tigers had the first great opportunity to break the tie as Taylor Joyce (Halifax, NS) was sent onto a breakaway.  Shaylin MacFarlane (Miramachi, NB) made a spectacular save on Joyce and then followed it up with another great save on a rebound opportunity from Kennedy Whelan (Alliston, ON).

The Tigers were awarded the first power play of the game after Delaney Boehm (East St. Paul, MB) was called for a tripping penalty behind the net. This was short lived as Danika Phillips (Barrie, ON) was called for slashing to open the ice in four on four action.

After the four on four expired, the Panthers went on to the power play and had their best chance of the game so far, Kaylee Dufresne ((Orleans, ON) found herself all alone in front of the net but Fabiana Petricca (Woodbridge, ON) made a good save to keep the score tied.

With just under two minutes to play in the period, the Tigers had control of the puck in their own zone. After a misplay in the corner, Taylor Gillis (Summerside, PE) found herself wide open in front of the net and made no mistake as she potted her eighth goal of the season.

The Panthers came out of the faceoff with plenty of energy after the goal and were able to increase the lead just 20 seconds later. Another misplay in the Tigers zone allowed Gillis to score her second goal of the game, giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead heading into intermission.

The Panthers were awarded the first power play of the period after the Tigers were called for body checking. They were able to produce great opportunities after a good cycle in the offensive zone. A couple one-timer chances were produced from good passing, but the Tigers were able to stay strong and kill the power play.

The Panthers kept the pressure on later in the period as they were looking for another goal. After a burst of speed, Jolena Gillard (Deer Lake, NFLD) found herself on a breakaway, however Petricca made a great save to deny the scoring opportunity.

The Tigers were able to counter back with pressure of their own after a great pass from Autumn Moors (Ottawa, ON) gave Kaela Thomson (Norwalk, CT) a great scoring opportunity in front of the net. The Panthers were able to stay strong in their own zone and denied the shot attempt.

After killing off a Panthers power play, the Tigers had one of their own, and were able to generate plenty of scoring opportunities to get on the score board. The best chance came when Natalie Stanwood (West Vancouver, BC) had Macfarlane out of position, however the puck just dribbled by her stick and past the open net.

Although the Tigers were able to create chances of their own, it was the Panthers who struck late in the period. A scramble was created in front of the Tigers net and they were unable to clear it. Maria Clinton (Souris, BC) was able to get hold of the puck off the giveaway and score the easy goal past the sprawling Petricca. This would prove to be the final goal of the period as the Panthers entered the break up 3-0.

The panthers wasted no time in getting a scoring opportunity as they put pressure on the Tigers early in the period. Gillis carried the puck into the zone and threw a puck on net that created a great rebounding opportunity. However, the Tigers were able to prevent a goal.

The middle of the period wasn't very eventful as both teams went back and forth, but nothing came from it. MacFarlane was able to stay steady for each shot and had good rebound control, limiting second chance opportunities for the Tigers.

As the time expired, the Tigers were able to create minor opportunities to try and get on the scoreboard. However, MacFarlane stayed strong the whole way and earned the shutout to give the Panthers the 3-0 road win.

Taylor Gillis was honoured with the Subway Player of the Game behind her two-goal performance.

The Panthers head back home to take on the StFX X-Women tomorrow afternoon while the Tigers play at home tomorrow night against l'Université de Moncton.