Reds edge Panthers 2-1 behind Kendra Woodland’s stellar performance in net

By Thomas Becker

UNB Reds goaltender Kendra Woodland was near perfect Friday night as she led her team to a 2-1 win over the UPEI Panthers. 

Woodland turned aside 34 shots, but was especially big in the third period where she recorded 20 saves on 21 shots. 

"UPEI is a team we can't let off against. They're sneaky, they're a good hockey team, and we know we have to bring our best," Woodland said. 

The Reds (23-2-3) came out the aggressors and blitzed the Panthers (16-9-2) from the opening puck drop. They were rewarded with a goal at 2:24 when Paige Grenier flipped a backhand shot by goaltender Sarah Forsythe, who recorded 27 saves in the loss.

UPEI had a bit more urgency after surrendering the goal and matched UNB's physicality and pace for the remainder of the period and throughout a scoreless second period.

Down a goal heading into the third period, the Panthers were much livelier on the attack, with most of the action taking place in the offensive zone. They outshot their opponent 21-10 and eventually found the equalizer at 7:56 when Kaiya Maracle put away a rebound off a shot from McKinley Nelson. 

Despite the lone blemish, Woodland may have been the best player on the ice, as she consistently denied UPEI's furious attack and gave her team a chance to win.

UNB got their chance late in the period when Panther Kierra St. Peter was whistled for body checking with 3:41 remaining in regulation. On the ensuing power play, Lillian George fired a shot off Forsythe, leading to a long rebound that Tamina Kehler put away with a backhand shot for the winning goal.

The Panthers look to close their regular season with a win Saturday night when they host the Mount Allison Mounties. Meanwhile, the first-place Reds have earned a bye and won't play again until the semifinals begin.

Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan