Hoop & Puck Panthers Kick off 96-97

Well, last week’s thirty- degree drop in the temperature has not only harkened the start of the glove and scarf season but has also served to welcome the UPEI indoor sports sea- son. On theheels oftwoAUAA runner-up seasons, the hockey and basketball Panthers have begun their season and train- ing camp respectively.

Doug Currie’s squad was dealt a blow in the off- season with the loss of all-time Panther hockey greats John Nelson and K.J. White, both graduated. Nelson has found a home in the pros but the question mark after the 1995- 1996 campaign was whether or not leading scorer Forbie MacPherson would return to play out his eligibility. MacPherson opted for profes- sional hockey. Currie was found to recruit heavily and

brought in eight new players. The Panthers who suffered a pain of tough losses to open the season in UNB, still have a solid base of talent which in- cludes goaltenders David Mitchell and Craig Johnson and all-star defencemen Dave Lemay and Daryl Lavoie.

George Morrison’s hoop Panthers seem to be in much of the same boat. After the loss of all-everything, Curtis Robinson, the Panthers seemed to be weak in the mid- dle but the emergence of Greg Lucas in the latter part of the 1995 - 1996 season has pro- vided optimism. Doug Newson and Jason MacDonald return to the starting line up along with veterans Shane Walsh and Pete Richard. The Panthers appear to be in a solid playoff betasusual inthealways tough, AUAA

UPCOMING PANTHER ACTION

Men’s Soccer vs. UDM Women’s Soccer vs UDM Field Hockey

Men’s Hockey at STU Men’s B’Ball

Women’s B’Ball

Thursday at 4:00 pm Wednesday at 4:00 pm AUAA’s at SMU

Saturday at 7:00 pm Acadian Tourney Fri and Sat UNB Fall Classic Fri to Sun

Do you like SPORTS’? Do you own a pencil?

If you answered yes to one or more of the above questions, then you

qualify tobea

Panther Prints Sports

Writer! We'll even supply a pencil!

ThePanther Prints €* Sports

Panthers Enter Stretch Run

By Jason Martel

Whata difference a week makes. Aftera pickup of three points over the weekend, the UPEI women’s field hockey team has moved within two points ofthe frontrunning UNB Reds in the AUAA

The Panthers played toa scoreless draw with St. Mary’s last Sunday on the heels of an impressive 2-1 victory on Sat- urday. The Panthers have been led offensively by Tracy McGee who has3 goals for the 1-2-3 UPEI squad

The Panthers now sit one point ahead of the last place Saint Mary’s Huskies as both squads have a pair of games remaining in the regular sea- son. UPEI finishes in UNB on the 11th and 12th of October and both games are extremely important in determining the final standing. The AUAA playoffs are played in Halifax, but with a shot at UNB’s first

round bye still in sight, the Panthers will not be conceding

anything.

The UPEI athletic depart- ment had some great fortune last week as they were awarded the 1996 -1997 AUAA Bas- ketball All-star game. Both a men’s and women’s game will be played on February 21st. Last year’s event was a huge success and saw four UPEI athletes selected for the hon- our. Stephanie Shine and Eireanne Rigby represented the women’s team while Curtis Robinson and Peter Lawlor made an appearance for the men.

Intramural Notes:

There are still a few spots led in the Piazza Joe’s UPEI Intramural Basketball league. If you are interested, please call Trish Little at the Sports Centre or drop by and fill outa sign - up form.

October 22, 1996 Rugby Rookie Party

The veteren men and women of the rugby teams, being such kind and generous souls, decided to welcome all newcomers to the UPEI Rugby Club. I think that the rookies really appreciated our efforts, especially the fine fashions that were provided for them.

It was a very educational evening. The girls learned how to dance, although some did geta little crazy with that pole. And the boys... well, let's just say that the shaving of their heads was among the least of their worries.

But now it is over and we're all stronger people be- cause of it.

P.S. Adrien, Don't think we've forgotten that you failed to show up. HA HA HA!

Five Year Plan Sports Review

After a somewhat disappointing season last year, FYP is back and bet- ter than ever, planning on reigning supreme inthe"B" Division Intramural Bas- ketball League this season. New additions to the roster this year are Rick Mallard, Krishna Singh, Dale Tingley, and Pat Perry. The veteran members of FYP are Dave Christian, Geoff Smith, Finley Martin, and Dico Reyers.

- The Five Year Plan is a force to be reckoned with as they plan on dominating the boards, controlling the paint, and _ raining

jumpshots from the floor. Team experience, height, agility, and speed will be more than a match for most teams in the "B" League this year.

On Tuesday, Oct.8th, the Five Year Plan played an exhibition game against last year's defend- ing champions, 30 Some- thing. The game was a very close match, but in the end FYP lost by 5 points. When asked about the loss, one team member replied "It's very early in the sea- son and this is the first time the whole team has played together. Even though we

lost, we played better to- night than most times last year."

Things have started to gel this week as FYP recorded two exhibition wins. A strong defence cre- ated ample opportunities to score as FYP beat Ratboy's Rebels 77 to 53 on Tues- day, Oct.1Sth and Abeqweit Cresting 90 to 53 on Wednesday, Oct.16th.

For more informa- tion on FYP, game stats, and player biographies, check out our website at http://www. peionline.com/ fyp.