Panthers shutout by Tigers 1-0, 38-save effort by Beer

By Reegan MacAulay

Despite a 38-shot effort and seven opportunities with an extra attacker, the UPEI Panthers (5-6-2-1) were unable to deny a phenomenal goaltending effort by veteran goaltender Grace Beer, who carried the Dalhousie Tigers (10-3-1-0) to their 10th win of the season at the MacLauchlan Arena in Charlottetown on Saturday afternoon.

While the Panthers were more consistent with puck possession and creating plays in the Tigers zone, Dalhousie remained vigilant with an outstanding defensive effort and multiple successful penalty kills.

Their offensive chances came in spurts, and the one successful moment came at the 5:03 mark of the third period. A 3-on-2 rush saw Mollie Power enter the Panthers zone and get the puck poked away by Anjali Simms, but luckily, Leah MacSween was there to grab it, skate past Simms, and fire a short-side shot over Erin Cabaday's blocker to give Dalhousie a 1-0 lead. 

UPEI had several great opportunities all game, including a few breakaways and 2-on-1 rushes, but either Beer stood tall or the puck was fired wide. Around the halfway point of the second period, Panthers captain Chloe McCabe skated from the corner to the blue crease through several defenders and nearly snuck a backhand shot underneath Beer. A few moments later, Brooke Thomson went on a breakaway and deked to the backhand but failed to get the shot on goal.

Halfway through the third period, a pair of double-minor head contact penalties plagued both teams; Dalhousie's came first but UPEI was unable to capitalize, and the same instance occurred the other way around. The Panthers did all they could to force extra time, but a timeout and a pulled goalie weren't enough to turn things around. While Beer claimed the shutout victory, Cabaday also stood tall with 15 saves on 16 shots.

The Panthers will look to end their now two-game losing streak with their final home game of 2024 next Tuesday, Nov. 19 against Mount Allison. The Tigers, who have now won three consecutive games, will return to their home ice for a match against St. FX next Wednesday, Nov. 20.

Photo Credit: Janessa Vanden Broek