Andrews scores OT winner for Panthers

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The captain came through Thursday for the UPEI Panthers.
Brent Andrews scored 2:23 into overtime as the host Panthers defeated the Universite de Moncton Aigles Bleus 3-2 to take Game 1 of the Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey quarter-final.
Defenceman Doug Blaisdell caused a turnover in the neutral zone and got the puck to Beau McCue, who sprung Andrews down the wing at the end of shift.
“I knew Beau was driving to the net, so I just tried to get it to the net . .. and it hit the D’s stick and was fortunate enough to redirect in,” the Hunter River centre said. “It kind of caught me by surprise — it took me a couple of seconds to realize it was in and we won.”
The fifth-year Panther said it was the biggest goal of his university career and was up there with an overtime winner to beat the Moncton Wildcats during his 18-year-old season with the Halifax Mooseheads of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
“He’s been our leader and there’s nobody that works harder day-to-day, so it’s good to see that type of person rewarded,” UPEI head coach Forbes MacPherson said.
Game 2 of the best-of-three series goes Saturday in Moncton at 7 p.m. with Game 3, if necessary, at MacLauchlan Arena Monday at 7 p.m.
“As the saying goes, you haven’t won or lost a series until somebody wins in somebody else’s rink,” MacPherson said.
Edouard Michaud gave the visitors the lead 6:22 into the first period on Thursday night.
With the Panthers seeking a spark, rookie Nick Shumlanski provided it.
The freshman, who potted the team’s first goal of the regular season, scored a shorthanded goal with 5:28 to play in the second period.
“It was a good feeling,” Shumlanski said. “The boys really picked it up after that. I think we had a really solid last 10 minutes of that period and really put them on their heels.”
MacPherson said the goal was the product of executing the game plan with Shumlanski bumping the puck wide, McCue getting the puck on goal and Shumlanski driving to net.
“That’s the way we wanted to play five-on-five but I think your mindset changes a little bit when you’re shorthanded and it paid off for us,” the bench boss said.
“It was a huge lift for us,” Andrews added. “Anytime you get a shorthanded goal it definitely helps swing momentum.”
Gave Guertler made it 2-1 for the home side 1:33 after Shumlanski’s marker as the Panthers put together a handful of strong shifts to close out the period.
Moncton refused to go away and Ryan Chiasson tied it 7:29 into the third.
Matthew Mancina made 20 stops for the victory.
MacPherson said they did a good job of limiting Moncton’s opportunities.
“When they did get chances, he looked very calm, cool and collected.”
Etienne Montpetit stopped 27 shots in the loss.
McCue had two assists while singles went to Owen Headrick, Kameron Kielly, Sam Aulie and Doug Blaisdell.
Vincent Deslauriers, Carl Marois and Alexis Roy had assists for Moncton.
UPEI was 0-for-3 on the power play while Moncton was 0-for-2.