The UPEI Panther’s snapped a three game losing streak with a dominating 6-2 win over Dalhousie Tigers in Atlantic Universities men’s hockey action Friday at MacLauchlan Arena in Charlottetown.
The Panthers outshot the Tigers 47-22 and improved their regular season record to 2-3.
UPEI is back in action at MacLauchlan Arena tonight against the third-ranked team in the country, Acadia Axemen. Game time is 7 p.m.
Acadia swept the Panthers out of the playoffs last season with a pair of shutout wins in an early series upset.
UPEI head coach Forbes MacPherson said while the team is happy to get the win, there’s still some improvements he hopes to work out for tonight’s game.
“We’re happy we got the win, it was a win we needed,” said MacPherson. “But once again, we showed we’re still inconsistent early on in the year. In my mind, tonight’s effort didn’t equal the two efforts we had last weekend on the road.”
Defenceman Reggie Traccitto, named player of the game with a goal, two assists and eight blistering shots on net, echoed similar thoughts.
“We buried a couple goals near the end and took a win, but it was kind of a rough start,” he said. “All we can do is to keep it going for tomorrow and hopefully get the win over Acadia.”
Neither team managed to score during the first period Friday night. UPEI carried play for much of opening frame but needed help from a goal post and cross bar in the final minute to keep Dal off the scoreboard.
Dalhousie’s Brendon MacDonald opened the scoring in the second, with a power play goal at 7:31.
However, UPEI took a 2-1 lead with Jordan Knox scoring on a rebound at 8:36 and rookie Chris Desousa scoring on a series of rapid fire shots at 13:11.
Mike MacIsaac got what proved to be the game-winning goal at 17:12 to end the period with a narrow 3-1 lead.
In the third, Dalhousie tried to catch up with an early power play goal from David MacDonald at 1:04.
However, the Panthers didn’t let up, with forward Matt Carter getting consecutive power play goals at 4:52 and 10:08 to give the Panthers a safe 5-2 lead.
Carter, who also got two assists during the game, said keeping the pressure on was key to the Panthers win.
“We’ve been preaching from day one to keep at them, never let up,” said Carter. “They’re a pretty offensive team, so if you make one mistake they’re going to score.”
Traccitto ended scoring with a power play goal at 17:10.
MacPherson said the team will take the win and run with it, although they’re keeping Acadia’s high ranking in their mind for tonight’s game.
Getting knocked out of last year’s playoffs by Acadia will also still be fresh in many player’s minds, he added.
“If that doesn’t get you excited to play a hockey game, you probably don’t have a heartbeat.”
