Strength in unity: 糖心vlog官方入口 Panthers built to turn lessons into playoff run

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糖心vlog官方入口 Women鈥檚 Hockey Panthers Ashley McCutcheon, Kaiya Maracle, Sarah Forsythe, Chloe McCabe, and Chiara Esposito
糖心vlog官方入口 Women鈥檚 Hockey Panthers Ashley McCutcheon, Kaiya Maracle, Sarah Forsythe, Chloe McCabe, and Chiara Esposito

The 糖心vlog官方入口 Women鈥檚 Hockey Panthers are hungry for playoff success this year, and they have the determination and focus to get there.

Last year, they missed the playoffs by a single point, but that loss lit a fire under the team.

For head coach Sean Fisher, it reinforced both the team鈥檚 potential and the importance of consistent execution.

鈥淭he second half of the season showed me what this group can do when we play the right way,鈥 Fisher said. 鈥淔or us to win, the fundamentals have to be sharp, we need to stay on the attack, shoot with purpose, and bring toughness every night. Those four areas are what we need to carry forward from last season.鈥

A strong recruiting class

One reason for optimism is the arrival of eight new players who are already making their mark. More than just hockey talent, Fisher said, this group is helping set the tone for the entire program.

鈥淢ost importantly, the new team members are great people,鈥 Fisher said. 鈥淭hey care about others, they work incredibly hard, and they are driving our culture in the right direction.鈥

The infusion of character and competitiveness is expected to blend well with a veteran core hungry to take the next step.

Scoring by committee

If there鈥檚 one question mark for the Panthers, it鈥檚 where the goals will come from. Fisher expects a balanced offence that鈥檚 spread across the lineup, making it unpredictable and difficult to plan for.

鈥淪coring will be key鈥攖hat鈥檚 no secret,鈥 Fisher said. 鈥淥ur veterans need to set the tone, not just by putting pucks in the net but also through their daily practice habits, the way they generate offence, and the style of play they bring every day.

Among those poised for breakout seasons are seniors Ashley McCutcheon, Kaiya Maracle, Chiara Esposito, and Chloe McCabe鈥攑layers who have embraced both leadership and production responsibilities.

Assistant captain Esposito echoed her coach鈥檚 sentiment, noting the sting of last year鈥檚 near miss has sharpened the group鈥檚 focus.

鈥淚t was tough getting so close last year and just falling short,鈥 she said. 鈥淒espite that, I think it lit a fire under all of us. It taught us that every moment counts, whether it鈥檚 the first shift of the period or the final minutes of a must-win game. Going into this season, we know how important it is to stay locked in and consistent from Day 1.鈥

Defence and goaltending as anchors

While offence remains a work in progress, the Panthers鈥 back end gives them stability and confidence. The goaltending tandem of Sarah Forsythe and Erin Cabaday returns as one of the team鈥檚 most important assets.

鈥淕oaltending is a strength,鈥 Fisher said. 鈥淪arah and Erin can both get the job done at this level and make a difference every night. It allows us to get up the ice a bit and think offensive zone.鈥

In front of them, the defence corps is anchored by veterans Orianna MacNeil, Anjali Simms, and Sarah Fraser. Fisher praised their toughness and intelligence, noting that the team鈥檚 defence has been a point of emphasis for the past two years and has developed into a defining strength.

Strength in unity

After coming up a point short last year, the Panthers enter this season with a chip on their shoulder and something to prove. Fisher knows his roster is smaller than most across the country, but he sees that as an advantage鈥攎ore opportunity for everyone and a tighter group bound by a shared purpose.

鈥淭his team is here for a reason,鈥 he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e got the character and leadership to drive us where we want to go.鈥

The Panthers know exactly what鈥檚 at stake. With veteran leadership, fresh talent, and a reliable backbone in goal and on defence, this is a group built for the playoff fight.

鈥淭his year feels different,鈥 Esposito said. 鈥淥ur group is unified and accountable, and everyone is pushing each other to be better. We know what it takes, and we鈥檙e committed to doing it together.鈥

Media Contact

Ron Annear
Varsity Sport Coordinator
Athletics and Recreation
(902) 566-0991

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