Axemen score four in the first period, hand Panthers second straight home loss in 5-1 defeat

By Thomas Becker

It's not the way the UPEI Panthers wanted to start their season.

The Panthers' season-opening struggles continued Friday night as they fell 5-1 to the Acadia Axemen, marking their second consecutive home loss. The Panthers (0-2) were overwhelmed by Acadia's fast start, surrendering four goals in the first 13 minutes—a deficit they were could not overcome. 

The Axemen (1-0) wasted no time establishing their dominance, opening the scoring just 2:09 into the game. After winning the puck battle in the corner, Acadia forward Corson Hopwo managed to fire a shot from a tough angle that beat goaltender Jakob Robillard, giving the visitors a quick 1-0 lead.

The early onslaught continued at 7:57 when Marc Boudreau retrieved the puck along the sideboards and directed a shot on goal. Brendan Sellan, stationed in front of Robillard, attempted a backhander before poking the puck past the netminder, doubling the lead to 2-0. 

Barely over a minute later, Brendan Mairs found teammate Cole Nagy on the opposite wing, where he fired a well-placed shot past Robillard. With the Panthers trailing 3-0 and Robillard facing just five shots, head coach Forbes MacPherson saw enough and pulled Robillard for Joe Ranger.

However, the Axemen weren't done. At 13:08, Brady Burns took a loose puck into the slot and found Cam MacDonald near the far post where he beat Ranger with a quick release shot, putting his team ahead 4-0 before the first intermission.

Despite the lopsided first period, the Panthers regrouped and came out fighting in the second. Their efforts were rewarded at 2:41 when defenceman Derek Pys walked into a shot that was deflected in front by Marc Richard which cut the deficit to 4-1.

However, the Axemen quickly squashed any momentum UPEI was building. Just under two minutes later, Luke Zazula fired a shot off a faceoff win that was deflected in front by Mairs for Acadia's fifth goal, effectively sealing the Panthers' fate.

The third period saw high emotions boil over as both teams racked up penalties and engaged in some heated exchanges. Multiple power play opportunities were squandered as neither team was able to capitalize on the man advantage.

The Panthers now turn their attention to next Wednesday's clash with the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus, searching for their first win of the season. The Axemen, meanwhile, look to build on the momentum from tonight's performance as they gear up for a battle with Saint Mary's Huskies on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek