Panthers’ comeback falls short as they lose to the Huskies 3-2

By Justin Arenburg

The Saint Mary's Huskies have enjoyed playing at MacLauchlan Arena this season as they've beaten the UPEI Panthers twice now on the road.

The Panthers jumped out to an 1-0 lead two and a half minutes into the first period when sophomore forward Ruby Loughton buried the rebound on the power play. Standout rookie defender Orianna MacNeil started the play with her wicked shot from the point.

Jillian Duggan and the Huskies wasted no time and answered back with a goal of their own 10 minutes into the period to tie the game at 1-1. Duggan tipped the puck past the UPEI defender giving her a partial breakaway in which she made no mistake, beating Sarah Forsythe glove side.

The Huskies weren't done scoring though. At the 17:29 mark in the first period the Subway Player of the Game Mackenzie Beggs put the Huskies on top on the power play for her second goal of the year, as they carried a 2-1 lead into the second period.

After the game, Beggs said it was about pushing through on tough night.

"We knew the Panthers we're going to bring it the whole game, so we had to push back and fight through it."

In the second the period Shae Demale would add to Saint Mary's lead and make it 3-1 after 40 minutes of play.

In the third period the Panthers came to life, picking up their play with MacNeil taking charge. Her lethal shot was shown off once again, this time scoring on the power play to cut the lead to 3-2 with 15 minutes remaining.

Ultimately, UPEI was unable to find an equalizer as they fell 3-2 to the Huskies in their last home game of the semester.

The Huskies will be back on home ice tomorrow against the St. Thomas Tommies, while the Panthers won't play until next Friday, November 18, also against the Tommies.

Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan