Panthers edge Mount Allison in shootout in a high scoring affair

By Justin Arenburg

The Panthers resumed action for the second half of the season Friday night against the Mount Allison Mounties.

For the Panthers, it was their first official AUS game in 40 days, but it didn't seem to matter as they took care of business on home ice. 

It only took the Panthers and fifth year forward Taylor Gillis three minutes to score the opening goal. 

The Mounties fought back and would tie the game at the seven minute mark with a goal from Jenna Miller. Just four minutes later the Mounties would strike again, this time from Hailey Simoneau.

Gillis would score her second of the game with just a minute and a half left in the first period to even the score at 2-2. 

The Panthers came out with a quick strike once again, this time from McKinley Nelson, the AUS Subway Player of the Game, just two minutes into the second period. Nelson made a beautiful toe drag around the Mounties defender and beat goaltender above the glove. 

The 2nd year forward from Alberta said the team was excited to get back out there. 

"I think our group was excited going into this game with lots of nerves built up after not playing for a month."

Mount Allison would score later in the period to tie the game 3-3 after 40 minutes of action. 

In a game that contained several lead changes, the Mounties would make another at the start of the third period, taking the lead 4-3 after Tallon Stephenson would score her second of the game.

Nelson, who is proving to be a star in the AUS, wouldn't let the Mounties hold onto the lead for long as she answered back with her second of the game just moments after, making it 4-4.

After the rest of the third period and overtime solved nothing, the Panthers would win in a shootout with Sarah Forsythe stopping all three Mountie shooters. 

The Panthers, who improve to 9-6-1 on the season are back on home ice again tonight to face off against the Dalhousie Tigers, while the Mounties who fall to 2-14-1 return home to face the St. Thomas Tommies.

Photo Credit: Janessa Hogan