Dalhousie’s Eustace scores OT winner in 3-2 win over Panthers

By Thomas Becker

Olivia Eustace's overtime heroics secured a win for the Dalhousie Tigers, who took down the UPEI Panthers 3-2 Sunday afternoon.

The winning goal came on a power play at 2:35 when Gabrielle Noordijk sent a pass to Brooklyn Paisley in front of the net where she got off a quick shot. She then took her own rebound and delivered a pass to Eustace, who redirected it in.

"It feels great," Eustace said of the overtime win. "We've been taking some L's in overtime, so it was nice to change that momentum."

Special teams was the story of the game as four out of the five goals came on the power play. 

The Tigers' (6-2-2) first goal came on a five-on-three opportunity late in the first period. Alix Yallowega accepted a pass from Allison Hood and took a couple strides before wiring a shot from the right circle past Sarah Forsythe for the opening goal at 15:40.

The Panthers (5-4-1) responded with a power play goal of their own with 17 seconds remaining in the frame. The puck cycled to rookie defender Orianna MacNeil, who fired a wrist shot by goaltender Grace Beer to even the score. 

Dalhousie reclaimed the lead 5:20 into the second period when Abby Wamboldt took the puck along the side of the net and snuck a backhand under the goalie's pads and in.

They would carry that lead into the third period, where UPEI evened the score once again. A little over five minutes into the frame, Taylor Gillis tipped MacNeil's shot from the point for the power play marker and the 2-2 tie. 

The Panthers did well to secure a point after being down twice in the game, but Eustace put the Tigers on top with the overtime goal.

The Panthers travel to Sackville Wednesday night where they will take on the Mount Allison Mounties, while the Tigers take on the Mounties at home on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan