Two crucial games at home, two much-needed wins. Mission accomplished.
The UPEI Panthers men's hockey team downed the St. Thomas Tommies 6-3 Saturday night for their second home win of the weekend to pick up four big points in Atlantic University Sports action.
The win came after UPEI's impressive 3-2 win Friday against the top-ranked UNB Varsity Reds.
The weekend sweep improves the Panthers regular season record to 7-5.
In a league where home games are critical, head coach Forbes MacPherson said the Panthers accomplished what they'd set out to do, earning four points from two big wins.
"It was basically taking care of business on home ice, which you have to do in this league," he said during an interview with The Guardian.
Much of Saturday's success was made possible through a hard effort from second-year player Dana Fraser, of Tatamagouche, N.S.
MacPherson said Fraser has dominated in any level of hockey he's played in.
That was apparent Saturday when Fraser scored the winning goal, as well as contributing with an insurance goal in the third period.
The win was not only a big win for the Panthers but also for Fraser personally, said the player.
"We needed all four points to get back on track," said Fraser, who got his third goal of the season Saturday. "Contributing individually was a big help and a bit of a confidence boost."
"He's gifted offensively and that's his natural strength," said MacPherson, adding that Fraser's challenge in his first year as a Panther was to become a more complete player. "Which he definitely has. Now that's he's a complete player, he has to work on consistency."
UPEI shot out of the gates during the first period of Saturday's game, with Mike MacIsaac and Chris Desousa nabbing two goals for the Panthers.
Clyde River native Randy Cameron took advantage of a powerplay to get the Tommies first goal at 1:13 in the second period, his first of three on the night.
Cameron completed his hat trick with a powerplay goal two minutes later, and with an even-strength goal at 14:28 in the third.
Jared Gomes found the net for the Panthers at 2:11 in the second before Fraser netted the game-winner on a powerplay at 11:18.
Alternate captain Matt Carter scored at 17:13, giving the Panthers a 5-2 lead going into the third.
Fraser got his second goal of the game, and third of the season, at 17:42 of the final period.
UPEI goalie Jhase Sniderman saved 24 of the Tommies 27 shots. St. Thomas goalie Charles Lavigne blocked 23 of 29 shots.
The Panthers win avenged a 6-3 St. Thomas comeback win two weeks ago in Fredericton.
MacPherson said the Tommies didn't make things easy Saturday for UPEI.
"They played a really good game. St. Thomas had some injuries," he said.
Fraser said much of the win had to do with the Panthers state of mind before the game.
"Last time we weren't really mentally prepared," he said. "Last night, we knew we had to be mentally ready."
Fraser also pointed out that UPEI's second win against defending champion UNB also got the team motivated for Saturday's game.
"When we play the best teams, we have our best games, we get fired up," he said. "So it was a huge confidence boost and I think it showed last night (against St. Thomas)."
UPEI has two games left before the Christmas holiday break. They'll face off against rivals Moncton Blue Eagles next Saturday in Moncton, before playing that same team at MacLauchlan Arena, Friday, Dec. 2.
