Panthers outlast Tigers in OT

The Dalhousie Tigersfell to the UPEI Panthers 3-2 on Friday in Halifax.

The first period between Dalhousie and the Panthers saw a strong defensive performance from both teams, with several missed shots and saves. Dalhousie managed to break the deadlock at 10:10 with a goal from Abby Larkin, marking her first goal of the season, assisted by teammates Emmerson Gormley, Abby Wamboldt, Natasha Falk, and Emma Robertson. The Panthers' attempts to capitalize on a power play opportunity following a hooking penalty on Ava Boyle at 12:22 were unsuccessful, as Madison King made key saves. The period concluded with a boarding penalty on the Panthers' Sadie Brown at 16:31, but Dalhousie was unable to extend their lead during the power play, leaving the score at 1-0 in their favor.

The second period opened with the Panthers taking control early as they won the initial faceoff and quickly took a shot, though it was saved by Madison King. Dalhousie struggled to find their mark, with Abby Wamboldt missing two consecutive shots early on and Sarah Forsythe making a series of saves, including multiple attempts from Leah MacSween and Lexie Small. The Panthers capitalized on their opportunities, with Rachel Richards scoring at 3:47 and Chloe McCabe adding another goal at 7:56, both assisted by McKinley Nelson. Dalhousie faced a setback when Hannah Robertson incurred a two-minute penalty for tripping at 13:21, leading to a power play for the Panthers, though Madison King managed to keep the puck out of the net during this period. Despite Dalhousie's efforts and several attempts at goal, the Panthers maintained their lead, ending the period with a 2-0 advantage in this frame and leading 2-1 overall.

In the third period of the game between Dalhousie and the Panthers, the teams engaged in a series of faceoffs with the Panthers winning the majority, including a crucial one at 19:40. Despite multiple missed shots by both teams, Dalhousie's Leah MacSween broke through at 19:45, scoring her first goal of the season with assists from Emma Robertson and Avery Holmes, tying the game at 2-2. Dalhousie had pulled their goalie for an extra attacker just prior to the goal. The period ended with a score of 2-2, after the Panthers failed to capitalize on their faceoff win following the goal.

The overtime period between Dalhousie and the Panthers began with a faceoff between McKinley Nelson and Leah MacSween, which was won by Dalhousie. At 1:25, Anjali Simms of the Panthers attempted a shot that was missed and saved by Dalhousie. Shortly after, at 1:45, Sophie Bujold scored an empty-net goal for the Panthers, assisted by Chloe McCabe, marking Bujold's first goal of the season. This goal concluded the overtime period, with the Panthers securing a 3-2 victory over Dalhousie.

The Dalhousie ice hockey team features several standout players based on their recent performances. Abby Larkin demonstrated her offensive skills with 1 goal on 2 shots, highlighting her efficiency. Leah MacSween also contributed by scoring 1 goal and leading the team in shots with 7, showcasing her active presence on the ice. Avery Holmes has been a key playmaker, providing 1 assist and taking 5 shots, adding depth to the team's offensive plays. On the defensive side, Madison King, the team's goaltender, recorded 20 saves in her recent game, despite allowing 2 goals, underlining her critical role in net. These players have been instrumental in their respective areas, contributing to the team's overall efforts on the ice.

The Tigers return to the Forum on Wednesday when they host STFX.