Scherger, Panthers shut out UNB in statement win

By Thomas Becker

The UPEI Panthers aren't satisfied being a middle-of-the-pack team. They want and expect to be closer to the top. 

Sunday's 1-0 win over the second-place UNB Reds (they came into the game tied for first) is proof that they have what it takes to compete against the conference's best. 

"It was a statement game for us," said Panthers head coach Bruce Donaldson. "We played fairly well Friday night; we just couldn't buy a goal. But we came back here, made a couple little changes to the lineup, and I thought we worked real hard."

The win marked just their second against opponents above them in the standings. The last one came over a month ago when they defeated the St. FX X-Women 4-3.

"That was probably the biggest team win we've had in a while," said goaltender Camille Scherger. "Everyone was just throwing their bodies out there blocking shots. It was so much fun and it felt like a playoff game." 

Scherger recorded 17 saves for her second shutout of the season, while UNB's (11-2-1) Kendra Woodland turned aside 21 shots in the loss. Scherger is now just rounding into form after missing the start of the season due to injury. 

"I was out for a little bit, but the more you play games, the better you see the puck, and I'm just starting to feel good out there again," Scherger said.

UPEI's (8-4-2) defence, meanwhile, is looking more and more like the dominant unit they were two years ago after surrendering just one goal in the past two games.

"We're starting to figure out which tandems are working," Donaldson said. "We've been working on exiting the zone more effectively and we're getting better at it." 

The deciding goal came off Jolena Gillard's stick on a power play at 11:06 of the first period when Taylor Gillis gathered the rebound off Sydney Lyndon's shot and passed it in front to the third-year forward, who shovelled it in her team-leading ninth goal of the season. 

"We never want to let anyone come into our building and take two points from us," Scherger said. "Everyone knows that when they come here, it's going to be a battle, and we did that today."

The Panthers look to make it two wins in a row when they travel to Sackville, NB to take on the Mount Allison Mounties Wednesday night.

Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan