CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — They are very deep and there aren't a lot of holes there. During the regular season we have had success against them, so if we can get everybody as close to healthy as possible we feel we can put ourselves in a good position for a good series.
- Forbie MacPherson, Panthers' head coach
If the regular-season meetings are any indication, a close Atlantic University Sport men’s hockey playoff series can be expected between the UPEI Panthers and Saint Mary’s Huskies.
The Huskies, who won three of the five head-to-head clashes with the Panthers, including two in overtime, will host Game 1 of the best-of-three quarter-final series at the Dauphinee Centre in Halifax, N.S., on Wednesday night.
“They are a good team, have a lot of skill and size, too, and throw the body around,” said UPEI rookie right-winger and Tignish native, TJ Shea. “We usually play them tight and they are usually high-scoring games, but I think that’s going to change here in the playoffs. We are hoping to play some tight D and outwork them.”
The Huskies finished the regular season in third place at 17-12-1 (won-lost-overtime losses). The Panthers secured the sixth and final playoff spot with a 10-15-5 resumé.
“Ultimately, you want to be seeded as high as possible, but the No. 1 goal is to get into the playoffs,” said Panthers head coach Forbie MacPherson. “It’s a very competitive conference and there is a lot of depth. Every team does a good job recruiting and is well-coached and well-prepared.
“It’s a short 30-game (regular-season) schedule and it’s a battle to get in. One team (Dalhousie) has been eliminated and we are excited to start with a clean slate here on Wednesday and get the playoffs going.”
Question mark
The biggest question mark entering the post-season for the Panthers is injuries.
“Last week, we had five or six guys out of the lineup,” MacPherson told the Journal Pioneer on Monday. “It wasn’t just precautionary, they were out because they literally were not healthy enough to play.
“It's kind of a day-by-day basis and we'll see how guys can improve over the next couple of days.”
Opposition
MacPherson acknowledges the Huskies are “a very good team” and he’s looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“They are very deep and there aren't a lot of holes there,” said MacPherson. “During the regular season we have had success against them, so if we can get everybody as close to healthy as possible we feel we can put ourselves in a good position for a good series.”
One important factor for the Panthers, emphasized MacPherson, is discipline.
“Saint Mary’s has a really good power play and we’ll have to make sure that we stay out of the penalty box and stay disciplined to our structure as well,” said MacPherson. “Saint Mary’s is a big, physical team, so we will have to be ready to bring our energy and compete at an A level.”
Shea added that paying attention to detail will also be important.
“We have to have a strong work ethic, be hard on the puck, be first to the puck, finish our checks and the little things are what’s key,” said Shea, who had three goals and three assists for six points in 29 regular-season games with the Panthers after graduating from the Summerside Western Capitals last spring.
Shea admitted it is a big adjustment from junior A to university hockey.
“You have to work your way up the lineup and prove you can play at that high level and high pace,” said Shea. “For me, it was getting used to the league in the first half and the second half it was trying to build my game up to that level where I am more comfortable.”
Game 2
The Panthers are scheduled to host Game 2 at MacLauchlan Arena on Friday at 7 p.m. If necessary, a third and deciding game will be back in Halifax on Sunday, also at 7 p.m.
“It really happens quick, in the blink of an eye,” said MacPherson. “A week goes by and the series is over.
“You don’t have the opportunity to take a mulligan and you have to be ready to go from the start. There is not a lot of room for error.”
An attempt to contact Saint Mary’s head coach Trevor Stienburg for comment was unsuccessful.
