The UPEI Panthers overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period to down the Dalhousie Tigers 4-2 in AUS men's hockey action Friday at MacLauchlan Arena.
Jared Gomes netted the game-winner for the Panthers past the halfway mark of the third period to seal another crucial two points for the Panthers.
The win puts UPEI's regular season record at 14-8, with the team sitting in fifth-place in the conference with 28 points but only four points behind leaders UNB Varsity Reds and Moncton Blue Eagles, tied with 32.
It was Gomes' third big goal in as many games after the alternate captain tied up last Friday's game against the Tommies to pave the way for a shoot-out winner from Chris Desousa. Gomes then scored the game-winner in a wild 8-7 victory against UNB last Saturday with less than two minutes left in the game.
Gomes said last night's win came from a team effort. His goal was assisted by Devin Praught and Reggie Traccitto.
"Reggie (Traccitto) made a great play getting the shot through and (Chad) Locke got us started with the first one and (Chris) Desousa tied it up for us," said Gomes. "It was really a team win in the third. I'm playing with great players and we managed to get the job done tonight."
The win came after two goalless periods for the Panthers with Dal leading 2-0 after 40 minutes.
A one-timer powerplay goal from Dalhousie's Pascal Amyot opened up scoring 11:57 into the first period.
Francois Gauthier scored another one for the Tigers at 18:44, taking advantage of disorganized play by UPEI deep in their own zone.
Gomes said that recent desperate late rallies are an issue the team will have to look at.
"For me personally I find it easier to get up for a Saturday game just because mentally you played the night before and you're already adjusted to game speed," he said. "But certainly coming in on Friday nights we have to do a better job of preparing."
The Panthers got hot early in the third period, with forward Locke netting UPEI's first goal at 1:35 and Desousa tying up the game at 6:08.
Gomes then netted the game-winner at 14:03, with alternate captain Matt Carter giving the team some insurance during the last minute of the game by scoring on a powerplay at 19:05.
Panthers goaltender Mavric Parks blocked 21 of 24 shots, including many key saves in the first two periods, while Dal netminder Bobby Nadeau stopped 30 of 34.
The Panthers take to the ice again tonight to face the Acadia Axemen. Game time is 7 p.m at MacLauchlan Arena.
The men's hockey team will also be hosting alumni night before tonight's game. Former UPEI, SDU and PWC hockey players will take to the ice as four different teams will play games in both Arena A and Arena B at MacLauchlan Arena.
The alumni night starts at 4 p.m. with games lasting 20 minutes each.
For more details on the alumni game times and teams, see B-6.
