Battle of the Cats.

Battle of the Cats

For the third season in a row, the Panthers and Cougars will battle it out in the South Division Finals. The winner will move on to meet either the Oceanside Generals, or the Kerry Park Islanders for the Patterson Memorial Trophy: VIJHL League Playoff Champions.

This should be one of the best series to be played for sometime, with both teams posting the best offensive and defensive numbers in the league. The Panthers finished on top of the VIJHL standings by just a single point over the second place Cougars. The Cougars finished first overall in scoring 236 goals, while Panthers finished second with 226. Victoria finished first allowing the least amount of goals in the league 128, while the Panthers finished third, allowing 137. Panthers had the best power play in the league, scoring 80 goals on 328 chances at a rate of 24.4 percent, while the Cougars finished second scoring 71 goals on 315 chances for 22.5 percent. The Panthers finished third on the penalty kill at 83.3 percent while Victoria finished just back of them in fifth at 83.0 percent. Panthers made the Panorama Recreation Centre a tough place to play with the leagues best home record, going 18-2-4, while the Cougars finished second with just one loss more at home than the Panthers, with a 18-3-3 record at the Archie Browning Sports Centre. Panthers again finished just ahead of the Cougars on the road with 17 wins 6 losses 1 overtime loss. Cougars had 16 wins 5 losses and 3 overtime losses.

Cougars took the eight regular season games against the Panthers with six wins, and two losses. Panthers lost two of those games in overtime. The last four games have been decided by one goal, which is why this could be a great series. Both teams have the fire power, both teams have the defense and goaltending. Each team has the capabilities to win 7-0 or 1-0 one night, and lose by those scores the next night. Each game could go to overtime. This series could be won by either team in four games, or go the distance. You the Panther fan will be treated to some great junior hockey, and it all starts tomorrow night here on the Peninsula at 7:30 pm. Come on out and cheer long and loud for your Peninsula Panthers.

SCHEDULE:

All Games at Panorama Recreation Centre start at 7:30 pm.
All Games at Archie Browning Sports Centre start at 7:15 pm.

Game 1: Victoria @ Peninsula March 3, 2009
Game 2: Peninsula @ Victoria March 5, 2009
Game 3: Victoria @ Peninsula March 6, 2009
Game 4: Peninsula @ Victoria March 8, 2009
Game 5 (if necessary): Victoria @ Peninsula March 9, 2009
Game 6 (if necessary): Peninsula @ Victoria March 12, 2009
Game 7 (if necessary): Victoria @ Peninsula March 13, 2009

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