UPEI’s Maione sends Panthers to semis with game-winner in double overtime

(Charlottetown, P.E.I.)  - A hard slap shot by UPEI's Matt Maione at 8:47 of double overtime ended the 2013 Subway AUS men's hockey quarter-final series, giving the Panthers a 5-4 victory over StFX and a 2-0 sweep in their best two-of-three series.

The Panthers, who had a 3-0 lead after the first and a 4-1 lead until late in the second had to play an extra 18:37 before moving on to the second round. 

The Panthers brought the pressure in the first period by scoring three goals in row, started off by Tyler Brown's goal at 12:01.   

Panthers forward Matt Boyle was tied up with two StFX players which allowed Mason Wilgosh to score the Panthers second goal.  

After a hard hit from StFX's Cole Grbavac on Wilgosh that resulted in a five-minute major and a game misconduct, UPEI's Travis McIsaac notched the third goal for the Panthers with just 28 second left in the period. 

To start the second period, StFX replaced goalie Joseph Perricone with Drew Owsley.

Michael  Kirkpatrick wasted no time, scoring just 23 seconds into the middle frame, with the assist going to Nick Pageau. 

UPEI's Chris Desousa, sitting on the doorstep, scored on the power-play to increase the Panthers lead to 4-1. 

The X-Men, despite being down 3-0 and 4-1 at different points in the contest, never gave up. Zackary MacQueen eventually found the back of the net off a great pass from Nick Pageau's stick to head into the locker room trailing 4-2.

Brad Cuzner and Jason Bast netted the only two goals of the third period for the X-Men to tie the game 4-4.

The first overtime was quiet with only six shots and both goalies, UPEI's Wayne Savage and StFX's Drew Owsley were each outstanding.  

The teams headed to the dressing room after the first 10 minute OT session for the ice to be cleaned.  Both teams came out firing but it was Maione's shot that ended the game.

"We are elated to move on to the semifinals," said UPEI head coach Forbes MacPherson. "This was not an easy series and we were prepared for it to be tough.  StFX put forth an outstanding effort in tonight's game. We will rest up tomorrow and go back to work Sunday in preparation for the next round."

The Panthers have to wait and see who wins the series between Acadia and Moncton on Sunday night.

The Panthers, seeded fifth for the playoffs, could face either UNB or Saint Mary's.  An Acadia win would result in a UPEI vs. UNB semifinal, while a loss by Acadia would pair up the Panthers with the Huskies.

All games of the 2013 Subway AUS men's hockey playoffs can be seen live via webcast at www.AUStv.ca.

Source: UPEI Sports Information
Photo UPEI Photography