A bucket list item
Lexie Murphy excited to play in U SPORTS women’s hockey championship
CHARLOTTETOWN – When Lexie Murphy skates on the ice for her first shift at the 2022 U SPORTS women’s hockey championship on March 25, it will mark the end of a three-year wait.
COVID-19 dashed Murphy’s dream of playing for a Canadian university championship in 2020. The first two games of that year’s tournament were played, but the host Panthers were scheduled to play their quarter-final game on Day 2.
Murphy watched the first two games that year, and could not wait to step on the ice. Unfortunately, that opportunity was put on hold when the event was cancelled shortly after the second game of Day 1 because of COVID-19.
The Panthers were awarded the national championship tournament for the 2020-21 season, but all competition that year was cancelled due to COVID-19.
“This year, it’s like it’s really happening; it’s reality,” Murphy told the SaltWire Network in a recent interview. “I’m super excited to compete in this tournament in front of all my family and friends. I know most of them already have their tickets.
“It’s been on my bucket list to play in a national (university) championship. To play it on home ice is a cherry on top.”
That moment will come on March 25 when the eighth-seeded Panthers take on the No. 1-ranked Concordia Stingers at MacLauchlan Arena in a quarter-final game at 7 p.m.
The 20-year-old daughter of Kim and Bob Murphy of Kensington is in her third season with the Panthers, and second of U SPORTS eligibility.
Players did not lose a year of eligibility with no competition last year.
Murphy described her experience with the Panthers as memorable.
“(I’ve never) been on teams that have worked so hard,” said Murphy. “My first year, we were ranked third in the country. We might not have been as talented as the other teams, but we worked that much harder.
“Our team this year has that same work ethic, and we are really looking forward to heading to nationals. We really believe that hard work will allow us to achieve success.”
Panthers head coach Bruce Donaldson said that while Murphy has a quiet personality, the graduate and former multi-sport athlete at Kensington IntermediateSenior High School lets her play do the talking.
“Lexie is easily one of the hardest workers on the ice, and has an incredible work ethic,” said Donaldson. “Whether she is in the offensive end or defensive end, she is very reliable.
“Her fitness level is very good and she will take on whatever role you need.
She continues to mature as a player and a leader in the program.”
PLAYOFFS
The Panthers, who finished the tightly-contest Atlantic University Sport regular season in fourth place at 137-0-2 (won-lost-overtime losses-shootout losses), lost a heart-breaking quarter-final game 3-2 to the St. Thomas Tommies (11-11-0-0) on March 9. The Tommies scored in the final minute of regulation time to break a 2-2 tie.
PREPARATION
Since then, Murphy said the Panthers have been focused on working hard to prepare for the nationals.
“It’s been super intense,” said Murphy. “We all agreed to come together and we went through a boot camp. We had a talk and we agreed we need to have a great team culture and come into this as one. I think we are looking really, really good coming into nationals.”
Donaldson said Murphy, who has 17 points in 48 regular-season games over two years, not only works hard at developing her skills, but her positive attitude and openness to suggestions endear her to coaches.
Donaldson said each year Murphy’s skills and strength have improved, making her that much more important to the team.
“She is going to bring a compete level we need from everybody in order to have success,” said Donaldson. “She is very much a team person.
“Whether she scores or somebody else does, it’s not about that for her. It’s about the team's success, and playing her very best.”