be: Hockey Panther

Wrap-up

wo seasons ago, the Panthers repre-

sented the AUAA in the CIAU finals.

Last year, the team made it to the AUAA finals. This year, the Panthers struggled to qualify for the playoffs and lost the first round. The 1992-93 season was a hard one for the Panthers who have been around for three years or so and who expected the same action as the previous two seasons.

The Panthers had to try to generate offense from different people this season. They started the season without five of last year’s top-ten team scorers; by the end of the season, many of the Panthers had not played for the team last year. Coach Billy MacMillan and assistants Dave Shellington and Scott Blanchard experi- mented with a number of options in the search for offence. One of the options was the power- play’s first unit’s being made of only forwards. By the end ofthe season, one defenseman would be on the power play because even if the five forwards contributed offensively, the team suf- fered defensively.

The position of defense was predicted to falter this year because of the loss of Wayne MacPhee and John Copple. Rookies Greg Webber and Glen Craig proved early in the

season that defense would not be as problematic as it was supposed to be. Craig and Webber were adequate replacements and will be the building blocks of potentially the best defense Panther fans have seen in awhile.

The most publicized of Panther issues this season was goaltending. The team started the season with three goaltenders: Jamie Blanchard, Scott Blanchard and rookie Kevin MacDougall. Because both Blanchards were

done in the past five seasons.

The 1992-93 season can be remembered as the year of the rookie for UPEI hockey. The yea of the rookie was, for not only the team but als) the fans, a learning experience. The Panther had to deal with many new faces and styles of play; they had to learn how to build a team around a group. And even though it may not be found in the statistics, it worked. The team

playing in their final year of AUAA eligibility, MacDougall needed some ice time so that he could prepare himself for next season. To facilitate the deci- sion making, Scott Blanchard was cut and became an assistant coach, which left the team with a workable tandem as opposed to a confusing trio of goaltenders. MacDougall played

’...winning is not always a part of

good hockey."

a fine first year; Jamie Blanchard, a strong final year. The use of MacDougall this year will make it easier next season because of MacDougall’s experience.

This season’s graduating Panthers are Paul Murnaghan, Peter Bernard, and the Blanchards. Murnaghan and Bernard will be missed because they were integral to the team concept rather than the position or role concept. Blanchard’s absence will be significant because of all he has

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really started to come together in the seconl half. The process of rebuilding takes a little bil of time; the Panthers used this season for 1¢ building. Fans saw good hockey this season, bil it is necessary to realize that winning is 10! always a part of good hockey. Good hockey usually comes from a team that has to play! win; it comes from a team like this year’ Panthers.

Next season looks good for the team. Mat) of the 92-93 rookies will be more accustomel to each other and to AUAA hockey. It looks# if goaltending may be the only major obsta‘! for the next season because a new goaltentt! will have to be used. But the team part looks great. If the Panthers are able to pick up the pl! from where they left it last season- (this cad be taken almost literally because the last Panth! game was an exciting demonstration of a qual ity team) next year ought to bring peopleback"” the Civic Centre. look forward to it.

I want to take a minute and thank the Pat thers for the season. Every game was a differet! game. The fact that there were never any gv" antees made each game more enjoyable; the” was something in each game that made it i worthwhile. I congratulate you all on a seas"! that went uphill and did more than some thougl! it would. Best of luck to you in your exams 2 in the 1993-94 version of the UPEI hock'! Panthers.