Desousa pots winner as Panthers hold off Huskies

(HALIFAX, N.S.) - The Saint Mary's Huskies (9-11-0) had cut the UPEI Panthers' (10-7-2) lead to one by the end of the second period and they were swarming to tie the game for most of the third frame.

Panthers goaltender Wayne Savage was exceptional as he stopped 19 third period shots helping UPEI to hold on for its second straight win. Savage also picked up an assist on a nice pass that set up the game winning goal.

Saint Mary's drew first blood 6:30 into the first when Cory Tanaka and Mitchell Maynard played give and go. Maynard converted a feed by Tanaka when he sniped the corner over the glove of Savage from the left face-off dot, his first goal of the season.

The Panthers countered quickly, scoring just 30 seconds later. Alex Wall collected a teammate's rebound and backhanded a shot past Anthony Peters to tie the game 1-1.

UPEI connected on its first power-play chance of the game 13:35 into the first period to grab a 2-1 lead. After Peters was bowled over by a Panthers forward who had crashed the net, he lost his stick and consequently was unable to control the rebound off a point shot. Tyler Brown was on the doorstep to pound the rebound into the net for his third goal in the last two games.

In the second period, the Panthers scored their third consecutive goal after the Huskies dumped the puck in to change lines. While the Huskies substituted, Wayne Savage gathered the puck just outside of his crease and floated a pass for Christopher Desousa who was waiting at the opposing blue line all alone. Desousa speeded toward the net, deked to his forehand and slid a puck past Peters' outstretched pad.

With seven minutes to go before the second period ended, Saint Mary's was able cut the lead in half with the help of a strong offensive cycle. Stephen MacAulay came off the side boards and fed a breaking Steven Beyers who dangled a defender and ripped a wrist shot from the slot over the glove of Savage.

Most of the third period was controlled by the Huskies who feverishly tried to tie the game before time expired. Saint Mary's peppered Savage with 19 shots in the final frame, all of which were turned away.

UPEI play their next game at home versus Moncton University on Friday and the Huskies will play Dalhousie this Wednesday at the Halifax Forum.

Source: Brian Mosher for Saint Mary's Sports Information