![['Moncton forward Samuel LeBlanc watches as his shot goes wide during Wednesday’s Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey game in Charlottetown with the UPEI Panthers.']](https://saltwire.imgix.net/tg-25012016-samuel-leblanc.jpg?cs=srgb&fit=crop&h=568&w=847&dpr=1&auto=format%2Ccompress%2Cenhance)
The Panthers are scheduled to host the Moncton Aigles Bleus at 7 p.m. before closing out the regular season Saturday at UNB.
“We want to be feeling good about ourselves and feeling confident heading into that first round,” MacPherson said Thursday. “Whether we get fifth or sixth . . . doesn't really matter a whole lot. . . We’re playing a good opponent either way.”
UPEI (10-14-4) needs a point to secure fifth while Moncton (10-17-2) can clinch a playoff spot tonight in its final game of the regular season. Dalhousie is three points back of Moncton with two games to play.
“We want to win to get the two points for our qualification and not depend on other teams,” said Moncton coach Serge Bourgeois.
Saint Mary’s can still catch St. FX for third. UNB and Acadia have the first-round byes.
The best-of-three first round playoff series is likely to start the middle of next week.
MacPherson said goalie Matt Mahalak would get the start tonight while Moncton is going with Brandon Thibeau. The Panthers are a bit banged up, he said, but nothing that would keep guys out of the lineup. Forward R.T. Rice will serve the final game of his three-game suspension for a check to the head from the Jan. 27 game at UNB.
Moncton has lost four straight games, but took top-ranked UNB to overtime on Wednesday. The Panthers are 1-2-1 against the Aigles Bleus this season.
Moncton is led by a top line comprised of Jean-Francois Plante and twin brothers Alex and Allain Saulnier, who are all in the top seven in conference scoring. Plante has 28 goals in 29 games.
“They have one line that’s really top heavy that can do a lot of damage,” MacPherson said. “They’re other lines have been really playing fast and physical.”
UPEI’s top scorer is Marcus Power, who has 20 points in 25 games.
Hall of fame
UPEI postponed its sports hall of fame induction ceremony from Thursday until Saturday due to the forecasted winter storm.
The UPEI sports legacy celebration will take place Saturday with the reception beginning at 11 a.m. and lunch being served at 11:30 a.m. in the UPEI Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.
Jack Kane Sr., his son Jack Kane Jr., Billy MacMillan and Vince Mulligan are this year’s inductees.
The Panthers are scheduled to host the Moncton Aigles Bleus at 7 p.m. before closing out the regular season Saturday at UNB.
“We want to be feeling good about ourselves and feeling confident heading into that first round,” MacPherson said Thursday. “Whether we get fifth or sixth . . . doesn't really matter a whole lot. . . We’re playing a good opponent either way.”
UPEI (10-14-4) needs a point to secure fifth while Moncton (10-17-2) can clinch a playoff spot tonight in its final game of the regular season. Dalhousie is three points back of Moncton with two games to play.
“We want to win to get the two points for our qualification and not depend on other teams,” said Moncton coach Serge Bourgeois.
Saint Mary’s can still catch St. FX for third. UNB and Acadia have the first-round byes.
The best-of-three first round playoff series is likely to start the middle of next week.
MacPherson said goalie Matt Mahalak would get the start tonight while Moncton is going with Brandon Thibeau. The Panthers are a bit banged up, he said, but nothing that would keep guys out of the lineup. Forward R.T. Rice will serve the final game of his three-game suspension for a check to the head from the Jan. 27 game at UNB.
Moncton has lost four straight games, but took top-ranked UNB to overtime on Wednesday. The Panthers are 1-2-1 against the Aigles Bleus this season.
Moncton is led by a top line comprised of Jean-Francois Plante and twin brothers Alex and Allain Saulnier, who are all in the top seven in conference scoring. Plante has 28 goals in 29 games.
“They have one line that’s really top heavy that can do a lot of damage,” MacPherson said. “They’re other lines have been really playing fast and physical.”
UPEI’s top scorer is Marcus Power, who has 20 points in 25 games.
Hall of fame
UPEI postponed its sports hall of fame induction ceremony from Thursday until Saturday due to the forecasted winter storm.
The UPEI sports legacy celebration will take place Saturday with the reception beginning at 11 a.m. and lunch being served at 11:30 a.m. in the UPEI Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre.
Jack Kane Sr., his son Jack Kane Jr., Billy MacMillan and Vince Mulligan are this year’s inductees.
Schedule
A look at the UPEI Panthers varsity sports teams schedule for this weekend.
Today
Curling
AUS curling championships in Truro, N.S
Men
9 a.m. – UPEI vs. Memorial.
4 p.m. – UPEI vs. Dalhousie.
Women
12:30 p.m. – UPEI vs. Dalhousie.
7:30 p.m. – UPEI vs. St. FX.
Swimming
AUS Swimming Championship at UPEI.
10 a.m. – Heats.
6 p.m. – Finals.
Men’s hockey
7 p.m. – Moncton at UPEI.
Saturday
Curling
AUS curling championships in Truro, N.S
Women
9 a.m. – UPEI vs. Mount Allison.
4 p.m. – UPEI vs. Memorial.
Men
12:30 p.m. – UPEI vs. UNB.
4 p.m. – UPEI vs. Acadia.
7:30 p.m. – UPEI vs. Saint Mary’s.
Swimming
AUS Swimming Championship at UPEI.
10 a.m. – Heats.
6 p.m. – Finals.
Women’s basketball
5:30 p.m. – UPEI at Memorial.
Women’s hockey
7 p.m. – St. Thomas at UPEI.
Men’s hockey
7 p.m. – UPEI at UNB.
Men’s basketball
7:30 p.m. – UPEI at Memorial.
Sunday
Swimming
AUS Swimming Championship at UPEI.
10 a.m. – Heats.
6 p.m. –finals.
Women’s basketball
11:30 a.m. – UPEI at Memorial.
Men’s basketball
1:30 pm – UPEI at Memorial.
