Panthers at Home, February 16-19
UPEI Men’s and Women’s Hockey teams head into the first round of the AUS playoffs this weekend and both basketball teams host Cape Breton University.
The Panther women are paired against the Université de Moncton for the quarter-finals. Game one is Thursday at 7:00 pm at MacLauchlan Arena.
“UPEI Women's Hockey program is excited to be back in the playoff picture this year,” said coach Bruce Donaldson. “We clearly understand the challenges that U de M will bring to the game. Statically, we are very similar, with U de M scoring six more power-play goals and having stronger results at killing penalties. U de M has three very gifted players who we need to contain as well as last year’s top AUS goaltender between the pipes. On paper, this series should be a very entertaining one.”
Tickets for the women’s game can be purchased on game day, one hour prior to start.
UPEI Men’s Hockey plays Saint Mary’s University at home Friday at 7:00 pm.
“It has been a year-long battle for us to secure a play-off position,” said coach Forbes MacPherson. “We are excited to get this opportunity to play SMU in the first round of the play-offs. We will have our hands full. SMU has some very dangerous players, and home-ice advantage, but we feel very confident heading into this series.”
For more on this series, read Thomas Becker’s preview at GoPanthersGo. For tickets to the men’s games, the Bell Aliant Centre Box office will be open Wednesday from noon until 5:00 pm, Thursday noon until 5:00 pm, and Friday, noon until game time, or online at panthertickets.universitytickets.ca.
UPEI Basketball hosts Cape Breton University Sunday afternoon in the UPEI Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre. The women tip off at 1:00 pm. The men’s game begins at 3:00 pm.
“We are looking forward to playing AUS-league-leading CBU on Sunday,” said Greg Gould, coach of the women’s team. “They won our first meeting and are the only team we haven't beaten this year. Our team has been playing well lately and we are expecting a competitive game Sunday.”
“We are very happy and pleased to honour our five fifth-year seniors Mark Matheson, Dut Dut, Jake Kendrick, Lorenzo Parker, and Tyler Scott,” said Tim Kendrick, coach of the men’s team. “All of these young men have been a pleasure for me to coach and get to know. These five young men have brought a lot of great things to our program, but most of all, they have represented our program with a great degree of Panther Pride! I am a better coach and a better man for having spent time with each of them.”
Find more details at gopanthersgo.ca.
