The UPEI Men's Hockey Panthers host their arch rivals, the Moncton Blue Eagles, for the first time in regular season action in 2009-10, in AUS Hockey on Wednesday night at 7:00 at the MacLauchlan Arena. The contest will be a battle of a Panther team that is tied for third in the conference against Moncton which is in last place, a rarity even after two games for the Blue Eagles. UPEI has a 1-1 record coming off a 9-4 victory over St. Thomas last Saturday, in their home opener. The Blue Eagles (0-2) lost both of their opening games, including a 9-3 setback facing the UNB Varsity Reds. Moncton also lost 4-2 against St. Thomas with Tommies rookie goalie, Charles Lavigne coming up with 46 saves in the victory.
The Blue Eagles won two pre-season games with the Panthers, winning 6-5 on September 26 at UPEI and 5-4 in overtime at Cap Pele, October 10.
The Panthers rebounded from an opening night 10-0 defeat in Fredericton, facing defending CIS Champion UNB, with their decisive win last Saturday. Freshman defenseman Dylan Quaile and forward Matt Carter both contributed three goals and two assists for five point nights. Quaile and Carter are tied for fourth in AUS scoring and Quaile is second in scoring among defensemen in the conference after the opening week.
Both teams have struggled on the power play. U de M is 1 for 13 with the extra man, while UPEI is 1 for 7. Moncton has averaged 35 shots on goal while the Panthers have an average of 29 shots per game. Moncton has scored just 5 times while giving up 13 goals. The Panthers have scored 9 times and allowed 14.
UPEI is on the road this weekend, as they visit Acadia on Saturday night and Saint Mary's on Sunday afternoon
Department of Athletics