CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Lindsay Johnston could be playing her final regular season home games as a UPEI Panther this weekend.
“It seems like just yesterday I was a rookie. They don't lie when they say it flies,” the fourth-year Panther said before Thursday’s practice at MacLauchlan Arena.
The Panthers host the St. Thomas Tommies tonight and the Mount Allison Mounties Saturday in Atlantic University Sport women’s hockey action. Both games are 7 p.m. starts.
“It’s definitely an emotional time, but I think all the girls are ready to go,” Johnston said. “And I think all the girls, too, are playing for their vets this weekend.”
Head coach Bruce Donaldson wants his players to enjoy the weekend, which includes Saturday’s pink the rink event and ring ceremony.
“It’s a fun evening, but it's an emotional evening,” he said. “They recognize this piece (of their career) is coming to an end. They've worked really hard and really long to get to this level.”
Johnston, a 21-year-old Bowmanville, Ont., native studying psychology, is one of four graduating players. Captain Emma Martin is the only fifth-year player who is finishing her university eligibility this season while Johnston, goalie Megan Sullivan and defenceman Madison Clarke have the option of returning next season.
Johnston is considering playing in Europe next season, but admitted Thursday’s news the Panthers would be hosting the 2019 national championship gives her another reason to come back for a fifth season.
“I have a lot of thinking to do for sure.”
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Donaldson said it’s an exciting time for the program, but wants his players to focus on the task at hand.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge (at nationals), but we have to take it one step at a time,” he said.
It starts tonight against the Tommies in what would be a first-round matchup if the playoffs started today.
“They've had our number all year,” Donaldson said. “It’s a team actually that I felt we haven’t played very well against.”
The Panthers beat the Tommies twice in the pre-season by one goal, but have gone 0-2-1 with St. Thomas during the regular season. With three games left before the playoffs, this weekend provides the Panthers a chance to build momentum going to the post-season.
“Points are energetic,” Donaldson said. “We need to use this as a stepping stone to have some energy going into the playoffs.”
The Tommies (11-7-3) are one point up on Dalhousie for third place while UPEI (4-10-7) is five points back of Moncton for fifth.
The overtime losses show the Panthers have played in plenty of tight games and can compete with the conference’s best squads.
“That’s probably the most frustrating part,” Johnston said. “We’re right there with all the teams.”
But, she said, the team knows it is talented enough to go on a run and make some noise and end the year strong.
“I think a lot of the girls are starting to realize that we actually have an opportunity this year to turn our season around,” Johnston said.
