Panthers' brass looking for more intensity

Although the Peninsula Panthers have been winning a lot of hockey games as of late, they dug themselves a big hole on Sunday afternoon when they were dumped 6-2 in Mill Bay against the Kerry Park Islanders.  The Club started slowly once again and after trailing 3-0 after the first 20 minutes were in the books, they were unable to climb out of trouble.  The Panthers played a gritty final two periods but it was simply too little too late and as a result they dropped five points behind the Islanders with just two weeks left in the regular season.

"We have a young group and they have not shown me that they understand just how much intensity they have to bring to win hockey late in the season and into the playoffs," said Head Coach Rob Mortin.  "We have talked to the players over the last month about starting the game on time, about playing a full 60 minutes and if we don't bring this intensity right away when the first puck drops, we will not last long in the post-season."

The Panthers next chance at playing a full game will happen this Friday night when they play host to the Oceanside Generals in the friendly confines of Panorama Recreation Centre.  "We have five games left in the season; all five will be at home," stated Mortin.  "We need to win four or all five of them if we have any hopes of catching the Islanders and so this will be a great test for the Club over the next couple weeks."

In other news the Panthers are still talking with the Panorama to find ice to reschedule last Friday's game with the Victoria Cougars.  After a vehicle crashed into a Hydro pole late Friday afternoon, staff at the Arena were forced to lock the doors for the evening due to a power failure.  The Club is hoping to get a date in the next 7-10 days.