CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – Nick Shumlanski scored in his first game as a UPEI Panther in a 5-3 loss to the Moncton Aigles Bleus Wednesday in the opening game of the Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey regular season.
The Humboldt Broncos alumnus scored the Panthers first goal of the season 14 seconds after Moncton had taken a 2-0 lead early in the second period.
“It was kind of a relief. I don't think I’ve ever had one that felt so good before,” he said after the game. “(With) everything that’s happened in the last couple of months, it just felt like a big weight off my shoulders.”
Shumlanski, a 21-year-old Tisdale, Sask., native, was on the Broncos’ bus on April 6 when it collided with a tractor-trailer at an intersection in rural Saskatchewan. Sixteen people on the bus were killed and 13 players were injured.
Shumlanski committed to the Panthers in July.
RELATED: Click here for our story from July.
He credited the hard work of his linemates Filip Rydstrom and Riley Whittingham for creating his chance from the slot on Wednesday. The smiles were extra big as Shumlanski celebrated the goal with his teammates.
“The boys were pretty fired up,” Shumlanski said. “Their support has been great so far. A lot of guys gave me a little pat on the bench.”
Edouard Michaud restored the two-goal lead with eight minutes to play in the second period, but UPEI sophomore Kameron Kielly answered three minutes later.
Alexis Roy scored two minutes later as Moncton took a 4-2 lead to the third.
Rydstrom scored seven minutes into the final frame and the Panthers had chances to score the equalizer, but were unable to cash in. Carl Marois beat UPEI rookie goalie Simon Hofley with two minutes to play to ice the game.
“We felt like we controlled the play for the most part,” Panthers head coach Forbes MacPherson said, noting the 36-22 shot advantage. “You have to credit their defence and goaltending. They did a solid job and they are leaving here with two points.”
Robbie Graham and Vincent Deslauriers also scored for Moncton while Roy had two assists. Michaud, Maxime St-Cyr, Alexandre Bernier, Ryan Chiasson and Marois each had one.
Rydstrom, Whittingham, rookie Troy Lajuenesse, Gabe Guertler, Cody Payne and Beau McCue each had helpers for UPEI.
Alexi Thibaudeau earned the win, stopping 16 of 18 shots in 30:42 in relief of starter Etienne Montpetit, who stopped 17 of 18 shots before leaving with an unspecified injury.
Hofley stopped 17 of 22 shots in the loss.
UPEI was 0-for-5 on the power play while Moncton was 1-for-3.
The Shumlanski-Rydstrom-Whittingham line was buzzing all night and appeared to already have strong chemistry.
“It seemed like we clicked from our first exhibition game,” Shumlanski said. “I think we all know what our role is. We’re more of a gritty line, get pucks deep, get to the net and try to stir some things up and I think we did that pretty well tonight.”
The Panthers travel to Fredericton, N.B., Friday to play the perennial powerhouse UNB Varsity Reds.
