Panthers Lead the Pack

By taking 3 of a possible 4 points this weekend, it leaves the Panthers a top of the VIJHL league standings; 1 point ahead of the Victoria Cougars and 4 points up on third place Kerry Park Islanders.

Last night the Cats came out strong, out shooting the Islanders 13-7, but only had 1 goal by Jacques Du Toit on the score clock to show for their efforts.

In the second period, Panthers Dan Bell and Greg Simpson both scored on the power play to give the Cats a 3-0 lead heading into the third period.

Kerry Park closed the gap to 3-1 four minutes into the third, and made it a one goal game with 6:07 left in the game on a power play goal. Nick Chalecki redirected a shot from Kyle Wells and Carson Baillie just 15 seconds later to finish out the scoring, giving the Panthers a much needed 4-2 win.

Friday night at home versus Comox Glacier Kings, Blake Huppert scored just 1:24 in, and the Cats seemed like they were ready to play their “A” game. Then undisciplined penalties and misconduct left the Panthers shorthanded for most of the first period. Cats took five two minute minors in the first period, and didn’t stop there taking a total 47 minutes in majors, minors and misconducts.

Comox scored a rare even strength goal just 16 seconds into the second period to tie the game at 1-1. Huppert scored his second of the night to give the Cats their last lead of the night 2-1. The second period like the first saw the Cats play short handed, and Comox took advantage scoring 3 more goals, two on the power play. Matt Haze scored late in the period to bring the Cats to within one goal 4-3 heading into the third.

Comox added another power play goal just 40 seconds into the third period on a Greg Simpson interference penalty that was carried over from the end of the second period. Simpson scored not long after getting out of the penalty box to make a one goal game again in favour of Comox. Chalecki scored just 1:29 after Simpson’s goal to even the game at 5-5. Jake Bryan received a five minute major penalty with 8:38 left in the game, just after Matt Haze was called for a slashing penalty putting the Panthers down two skaters. Behind some key saves from Andrew Wilson, the Cats managed to kill them off and build some momentum heading into overtime.

In overtime it was all Panthers as they out-shot Comox 6-0, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

In the shoot-out, Kory Coward went first for the Panthers and put a nice move on Kirk Croswell who replaced starting goaltender Tyrell Dempster after he surrendered his fourth goal at the start of the third period. Wilson stopped the first two Kings shooters, but Brett Powell scored to force a sudden death shoot-out.  Chalecki shot first for the Panthers, just missing on the blocker side. Next up for Comox was Trent Murdock and he slid a low shot five hole giving the Kings the extra point.

Panthers took a possible 3 of 4 points for the second straight week.

[top]

The Official Website of  your Peninsula Panthers - All Rights Reserved 2008/09

Disclaimer