Panthers Win Streak Hits 14

Panthers Winning Streak Hits 14

Panthers start New Year off with their 14 straight win. Last night the Cats skated to a 5-1 win over the Saanich Braves at home. It was the first game in 14 days, in fact it was the first time on the ice in 14 days for your Panthers.

The first period was a little sloppy, as passing was not at it's best, but the Cats red hot power play got things going midway into the first period. With Braves #9 Trevor Yee in the penalty box for slashing, the power play was moving the puck around the offensive zone, when Braves #16 Dylan Lawerence took another slashing penalty just 36 seconds after Yee's putting his team down two men. With just 1 second remaining in Yee's penalty Nick Chalecki jumped on a lose puck and chipped it in past Braves net minder Eric Brabender. Greg Simpson and Dan Bell added the assists.

In the second things opened up five minutes in, as both teams traded odd man rushes. the braves ended up with three break-a-ways in the period, but Cats starting goaltender Andrew Wilson stopped them all, making his best save of the game on Braves #19 Mark Stinson, who made some nice moves to get around Matt Hazen. The Panthers were playing with a very short bench for various reasons, and the bench got even shorter as Hazen was ejected from the game for hitting from behind at 6:45. Stinson also drew a roughing penalty on the play taking away his teams chance to go on the power play. This seemed to spark the Cats briefly, as just 10 seconds later Simpson snapped home his 22nd goal of the season, giving the Cats a two goal lead at 6:35. James Kellington and Stewart Hepburn added the assists on the play. Cats legs were getting heavy late in the period, and got caught on the ice to long after killing off a Braves power play chance, and failed to clear the puck several times to get fresh legs on the ice. Yee made them pay as he skated untouched out of the corner to the slot and fired a wrist shot through a maze of players that beat Wilson to end the second period 2-1 one in favor of the hometown Cats.

In the third period Hepburn restored the two goal lead as he scored his first of two in the period making it 3-1. Chalecki and Kellington drew the assists. Kellington named the games third star scored to give the Cats a commanding 4-1 lead with seven minutes left in the game, Hepburn and Chalecki added the assists. The Games first Star Hepburn got his fourth point, and second goal of the night as he beat Brabender with a deflection standing at the side of the net on a point shot from Brian Cross. Erik Larsen added the other assist.

The games second star Andrew Wilson never face a ton of shots, but made some huge saves early on in this game when called upon. Wilson improves his record to 10 wins, 2 losses and 1 shootout loss, and his 2.57 GAA is tops in the VIJHL.

With the win it moves the Panthers 10 points up on second place Victoria Cougars, and 15 points up on the third place Kerry Park Islanders.

Next up for the Cats is a big event Friday January 9th, as Janeese and Friends will be on hand collecting your spare coins for variety. Please bring your spare change to help raise money for BC children who have special needs. For this game all Peninsula Minor Hockey players who wear their jersey to the game will receive free admission for a small coin donation to Janeese and her Friends.

Come on out and support your Panthers on their drive for 15 straight wins when they host the visiting Westshore Stingers, and please remember to bring your spare change. Janeese and her mom drop the puck at 7:30 p.m.

[top]

Disclaimer