Clinton nets a pair as Panthers cruise past Mount Allison

By Thomas Becker

Photo Janessa Hogan

Three goals in the opening 13 minutes were more than enough for the UPEI Panthers, who toppled the Mount Allison Mounties 4-1 on Friday night.

Captain Kiana Strand and rookies Maria Clinton and Kaylee Dufresne each scored in the period giving UPEI a lead they would not relinquish.

Clinton led the way with two goals, while Dufresne (a goal and an assist) and Emma Weatherbie (two assists) finished with two points apiece.

Fresh off a five-day layoff, an energetic Panthers (8-5-0) squad broke out in a big way, attacking the Mounties (3-10-0) early and often. Strand got her team on the scoreboard first just four minutes into the game to give UPEI a quick 1-0 lead.

The Panthers continued to pressure the Mount Allison defence, peppering the Mountie goaltender with 17 shots in the opening period. Clinton added her third goal of the season less than a minute later pulling the home team ahead by two.

UPEI's penalty kill delivered midway through the period when forward Dufresne stole the puck and with a burst a speed evaded a defender and beat Keri Martin glove side for the shorthanded marker.

Disappointed with their first period effort, the Mounties came out of the intermission a more physical team and the results followed.

At 9:27, forward Kara Anthony found the back of the net after firing the puck at a screened Marie-Soleil Deschenes, cutting the deficit to 3-1. But the Panthers would restore their three-goal lead just 21 seconds later on Clinton's second goal of the contest.

UPEI's defence clamped down in the final period and limited the Mounties to just three shots as the Panthers held on for the 4-1 final.

The Panthers look to make it three in a row when they take on the last place Dalhousie Tigers on Nov. 26 at 3 p.m.