Matt Carter`s goal in the double overtime will send the Panthers to the semi finals for the first time since 1996. The Panthers defeated Acadia 6-5. Mike MacIsaac and Carter came down the ice on a 2 on 1 and with a perfect pass from MacIsaac, Carter was able fire the puck to the back of the net and sent 1650 fans to their feet.
While Acadia's senior forward Adam McIllwraith grabbed the quick early marker at 1:50 of the first to take a 1-0 lead, the Panthers netted four straight goals to take a commanding 4-1 advantage after just over 15 minutes of play.
Alex Wall started the wave of goals at 2:04 in the first, followed by Jared Gomes second goal of the quarterfinal series just under two minutes later. Teammate Chris Desousa continued the flurry of goals and Gomes would score is second of the night to give UPEI the 4-1 lead after 15:19 minutes of play in the first period.
Starting netminder for the Axemen, Evan Mosher, was pulled following the Gomes goal after allowing four goals on seven shots. Peter DiSalvo replaced Mosher.
With under two minutes remaining in the opening period, Acadia's Spencer Jezegou closed the margin with Acadia's third powerplay goal of the three game series.
Outshooting the Axemen 12-9 in the first period, roles were reversed in the second as Acadia landed a 17-4 shots on goal advantage in the second period and sparking a three goal comeback led by Liam Heelis who scored a short handed goal early in the second.
Jonathan Laberge scored his third goal of the quarterfinal series with just over a minute remaining in the second followed by teammate Joel Ridgeway's second goal of the post season 34 seconds later to give Acadia the 5-4 lead after two frames.
It was Carter's heriocs in the final period that tied the game at five with less than two minutes remaining in regulation time. Carter's overtime winner, his fifth goal of the quarterfinal series, gives UPEI a trip to the semi-final round for the first time since 1996.
The Subway AUS Men's Hockey Semi Final will begin this week with UPEI facing UNB. Game times will be announced on Tuesday.
Department of Athletics