CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The UPEI Panthers started the Atlantic University Sport women’s hockey playoffs with a bang Thursday night.
Kelly Clements gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead 1:13 into the game and they never looked bank, blanking the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues 8-0 at MacLauchlan Arena.
The Panthers can complete the sweep of the best-of-three quarter-final Sunday in Moncton. Game time is 2 p.m. A Moncton victory would force a deciding game Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Charlottetown.
Faith Steeves led the way Thursday for the Panthers with four goal and an assist while Jolena Gillard had a goal and four helpers. Captain Rachel Colle and Kristen MacIntyre also scored while Clements, Kaylee Dufresne, Ally Clements, Maria Clinton, Lexie Murphy and Sydney Lyndon each chipped in an assist.
Camille Scherger stopped 17 shots for the shutout while Audrey Berthiaume was tagged with the loss after allowing four goals on 19 shots in 28:07. Melodie Arsenault stopped 16 of 20 shots in relief.
UPEI, which held 2-0 and 5-0 period leads, went 2-for-6 on the power play and killed all four of Moncton’s chances with the man advantage.
