Panthers clip Tommies in OT

Forward Steve Sanza on his goal scoring penalty shot.

The Tommies put in a good effort tonight against UPEI but were on the wrong side of a 4 to 3 overtime defeat.  STU showed resilience in coming back to tie the game twice in the game but it was the Panthers that got the two points.

St. Thomas was first on the board at 9:11 of the opening period when Marc-Andre Levesque (Bissonnette, Bernier) re-directed a shot past Wayne Savage in the UPEI cage.  The Tommies would hold the lead throughout the period that saw the Panthers hold an 18 to 8 advantage in shots.

In the middle stanza, UPEI scored a shorthanded marker at 3:55 and a powerplay marker at 7:20 to take the lead.  Steve Sanza was hooked on breakaway and earned a penalty shot at 11:33.  He made no mistake and went upstairs for the tying goal.  With under a minute to play in the period the Panther's Chris DeSousa zig zagged through the entire Tommies team and scored to regain their lead going into the third.

Not to be outdone, new comers Michael Beaudry and Matt Bissonnette teamed up for a beauty marker at 8:39 to tie the game at three.  Beaudry's highlight package goal was also assisted by Colin Martin.  With about 7 minutes to go in the period goaltender Jonathan Groenheyde's helmet came off as the Panthers buzzed the STU net.  UPEI scored but the goal was disallowed because the goalies mask had been knocked off.  Jon also took a stick or skate to the head and was bleeding badly and had to be taken off the ice for repairs.  Alex St-Arnaud came in for 3 minutes and 34 seconds and didn't have to face a shot.  Groenheyde was repaired and came back before the period ended and the game went to OT.

In the overtime period STU got stuck in their own end and as the puck was cleared toward the blue line, UPEI's Reggie Traccitto wristed a puck with eyes toward the net and it went in top corner.

Final shots on goal were 40 to 31 for UPEI.

In women's action earlier in the afternoon, the Lady Tommies were defeated 4 to 1 by Moncton.  STU's only goal was scored in the third by Caley Steinert (Em Francis).  It was Steinert's first goal since she scored her overtime beauty at the LBR two years ago. STU was outshot 26 to 19.

Tonight's game report is compliments of our Friends at Trius Truck Center 500 Bishop Drive. 457-9000

Jonathan Groenheyde, after coming back into the game from some off-ice repairs.