Hat trick hero: Orr leads Panthers past first-place Aigles Bleus

The UPEI Panthers didn't just open the New Year with a win, they sent a message.

Behind a brilliant three-goal night from sophomore standout Robert Orr, the Panthers (11-8-0) stunned the first-place Université de Moncton Aigles Bleus 4-3 Wednesday night, delivering one of their most complete and important performances of the season. 

Orr was everywhere, torching Moncton's special teams, driving the pace at even strength, and finishing with his first career AUS hat trick, all while quietly reminding everyone that UPEI is not to be overlooked come playoff time. 

"I've just been playing free out there," said Orr, who sits third in the conference with 13 goals. "Not being stressed, not being hesitant. I think that helps a lot. And I've got great linemates who make a big difference."

After a scoreless opening period that featured tight checking and disciplined defensive play, the Panthers struck first and did it shorthanded.

At 6:43 of the second, Colby Huggan sprung Orr on a two-on-one rush, and the sophomore made it look easy, snapping a shot past Olivier Adam to open the scoring.

Less than two minutes later, the Panthers struck again on the power play. Ben McFarlane's slot feed was blocked, but he stayed on the puck and slid it back to the point. Elias Cohen stepped into space and snapped a cross-ice pass to Orr, who wasted no time wiring it past Adam to make it 2-0.

"Cohen and Huggy set me up really well tonight," Orr said. "It helps a lot."

Moncton (13-5-1) pushed back midway through the period. At 10:06, Antoine Roy worked the puck free along the end boards and slid a pass into the slot, where rookie Jeremy D'Astous lifted a backhand over Jakob Robillard to pull the Aigles Bleus within one. Then, after killing off a lengthy Panthers power play, D'Astous struck again late in the frame — pouncing on a loose puck in front and beating Robillard to erase the deficit and send the game into the third deadlocked at two. 

UPEI, though, came out flying. 

On a third-period power play at 2:50, Donovan Arsenault tracked down a loose puck and slid it to Yanic Crête in the slot. Crête wasted no time, wiring home what would stand as the game-winner.

Just over a minute later, Orr put an exclamation point on his night. Cohen drove the net, pulled defenders with him, and slipped the puck back to Orr, who snapped home his third of the game to make it 4-2.

Moncton clawed back within one on a Roy goal at 8:50, but Robillard was rock-solid down the stretch, stopping 24 shots and securing his 11th victory of the season.

And with the Panthers now staring down the stretch run, Orr knows nights like this matter.

"This was a huge win. We've got 11 games left and each one matters. We have to battle every night, collect wins, and keep pushing for Nationals."

UPEI will look to build on the momentum Friday night when they head to Fredericton to take on the UNB Reds.