UPEI hosts top team in the country in season opener

Charlottetown, PEI (October 14, 2010)- UPEI Men's Hockey coach Forbie MacPherson will have a chance to see how his team responds when the Panthers host their season opener October 15 against the UNB Varsity Reds-the number one-ranked university team in Canada by Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS). Game time is 7:00 pm at MacLauchlan Arena.

'UNB is the best CIS team in Canada right now and this will be a great measuring stick for us. We couldn't ask for a better opponent on opening night to see where we stand,' MacPherson said. 'With the exception of a hiccup last year when they lost to St. FX in the playoffs, UNB hasn't lost more than a handful of games in two years.'

UPEI was 2-3 in pre-season games, beating Guelph (6-5) and Saint Mary's (5-2), and losing to Saint Mary's (6-4), Moncton (6-2) and Dalhousie (6-2).

'The exhibition games served their purpose for us. We had moments of exceptional play and then there were times when we didn't play well. Exhibition is a time to iron out the wrinkles, and we also saw some positive signs that got us excited going into the regular season,' added MacPherson.

UPEI scored 104 goals last year, the most in recent memory. Leading scorer Chad Locke(12-24); CIS Rookie of the Year, Jared Gomes (17-16); Matt Carter (17-16); Mike MacIsaac (8-16); Brandon Biggers (7-14); Dylan Quaile (4-16); Cory Vitarelli (13-6); Thomas Waugh (5-8); and Tomas Stryncl (1-12) are all back to play for the Panthers.

Gone from last year's team are Kyle Chagnon, James Cooley, Aaron Dawson, Connor Cameron, Wayne Savage Bret Nasby, Howie Martin and Jacob Bundil.

New to the Panthers this season are Matt Boyle (Lewiston Maineiacs), Dana Fraser (Truro Bearcats), Mark Guggenberger (Kelowna Rockets), Matt Maione (Guelph Storm), and Kris MacDonald (Acadia). Jordan Knox has rejoined the Panthers.

For a second year, forward Waugh is the team's captain. Gomes, Vitarelli and Graham McNabb will be alternates.

The coaching staff includes Mark Rupnow and Kris MacPhee as assistant coaches, and Stu Dunn as goaltender coach.

Opening night ceremonies will include a presentation to Gomes for his accomplishment last season, as well as a moment of silence for Vince Scott who played for the Panthers during the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons and died in a car accident in Ontario earlier this year.