Fredericton, NB - The St. Thomas University Tommies were shutout by the visiting University of Prince Edward Island Panthers Saturday night at the Grant-Harvey Centre. The two battled in a scoreless game for the first 40 minutes until Taylor Gillis (Summerside, PE) banged home a puck in front just 25 seconds into the third period to break open the scoring, leading to the Panthers 3-0 win.
Jazbey Hrynyk (Atmore, AB) and Ruby Loughton (Toronto, ON) also found the back of the net for the Panthers, both in the final period of play.
The first 40 minutes was a goaltending duel between Tommies' Caroline Pietroski (Etobicoke, ON) and Panthers' Shaylin McFarlane (Miramachi, NB), having stayed stellar between the pipes. Both STU and UPEI had a powerplay chance each in the first period with both finishing the period with seven shots on goal each. Their skills would be tested further in the second with more penalties being handed out.
Three of the Panthers five powerplays came in the second, while the Tommies had two of their own. The Panthers would head into the third with 38 seconds remaining on their powerplay and would capitalize on it to begin the final 20 minutes, feeding Gillis in front to sneak one by Pietroski's right pad.
UPEI kept up the pressure, as Hrynyk skated through the middle to snipe one right corner, right by Pietroski's blocker. Loughton put the icing on the cake with five minutes remaining, as UPEI won 3-0.
Tommies' head coach Peter Murphy said the Tommies played a good game but couldn't get the second chances to go their way.
"Once you get one it sort of gets you rolling a bit," Murphy said. "But I liked the way we were playing."
The Tommies, now 7-15-2, sit four points back of the Université de Moncton for the final playoff spot. They'll travel to Halifax Feb. 3 for a 7:00 PM puck Drop before two battles with Moncton for the final AUS playoff spot.
The Panthers move to 15-8-1 for 31 points, third in the AUS. They'll see the Mount Allison University Mounties at home in in their next one, also Feb. 3 at 7:00 PM.
