The Panthers were definitely in playoff mode in this game, playing a close-checking style, staying solid defensively, and making the most of their limited scoring opportunities. This was their second win of the weekend as they gained another valuable two points.
Charlie Key (7th) opened the scoring in the first period, cutting across the net from the left wing and slipping the puck through the five-hole to make it 1-0. McLennan and Binnie assisted on the goal.
Wellington tied it up with the only goal of the second period, scored by Jewitt (23rd) at 8:46, assisted by Trudel and Noble.
Blake Wright (10th) restored Pickering’s one-goal lead early in the third period at 2:45, finishing a play set up by Andrew Hill. The Panthers were outshot 23-12 over the first two periods, and a close-checking third resulted in just three total shots—two by Pickering and one by Wellington.
Andre Mondoux (5th) then netted the game-winning goal on the power play at 15:37, firing an absolute rocket from just inside the blue line that beat the Wellington goalie clean. Zhang and Binnie picked up assists on the goal.
Wellington made things interesting, cutting the lead to 3-2 with Schaap (28th) scoring at 18:28, assisted by Trudel and Littlejohn, but Pickering held on for the win.
Ian Michelone was sharp in net, stopping 22 of 24 shots to secure his 14th win of the season.
Pickering returns home to face the Georgetown Raiders this Tuesday night, February 11, at 7:30 PM.
