PANTHERS SPLIT WEEKEND SERIES VS NORTH DIVISION OPPONENTS

Friday, January 08, 2010 saw the first home game of the New Year with the Panthers playing the Kerry Park Islanders. Both teams are sitting at the top of their respective Divisions. Earlier in the week, a trade with Kerry Park saw Cole Thomson (#20) come to the Panthers in exchange for James Kellington (#19).

Barely a minute into the first, the Islanders were the early leaders with a goal by David Verticchio (25), assisted by Jackson Wilson (15) (ES). Trying to get the equalizer, the Panthers peppered the Islander goalie, Taylor Pears, with 24 shots while the Islanders were only able to manage 7 on Panthers goaltender, Brady Berisoff.

The Panthers finally evened up the score early in the second period with a goal from Tyrell Turgeon (14), that was assisted by Carson Baillie (22) and Brent Lucente (16) on the powerplay. Turgeon and Baillie then assisted on the Panthers second goal moments later when Brent Lucente (16)slid one home, again on the PP. The Islanders were able to even the score at 2-2 when Verticchio sent the puck in for Islanders first PP of the game with assists going to Cole Peterson (7) and Trevor Gicas (14).

The game quickly changed at this point and turned into the James Kellington (19) show as he scored three goals for his new team. Kellington finished the game with a Hat trick and was named the second star of the game. The final goal for the Panthers came in the third period and was scored by Turgeon and assisted by Lucente. James Kellington played an outstanding game for the Islanders and the Peninsula Panthers wish him all the best with his new team.

Final score - Islanders 6 - Panthers 3.

On Saturday night, the Panthers scratched out a 3-0 win in Comox. Lukas Simpson was sensational and turned aside 37 shots for his third shutout of the season. Eric Smith scored the winning goal, playing in his last game with the Panthers and Evan Campbell produced a 3 point night. Newcomer Micael Colantone made a very strong debut for the Panthers and will be expected to be a team leader with his strong two-way play.

Final Score: Panthers 3 - Glacier Kings 0

The Panthers next home game is Friday January 15th vs the Kerry Park Islanders. Game time is 7:30pm