Game 2 of the VIJHL South Island Division Semi Finals saw the Peninsula Panthers scratch out a 3-1 win over the home town Victoria Cougars. The game was extremely close the whole way through with the Panthers hanging on to a 2-1 lead late in the game before Tanner Carter blocked a shot from the Cougars blueline which sent Evan Campbell in for the empty net goal, putting the game out of reach. In the previous few minutes the Cougars peppered the Panthers net but goalie Brady Berisoff came up with some game changing saves.
The first period opened with the Cougars pressing hard. Early penalty trouble gave the always dangerous Cougar PP some momentum early in the game but the Panthers penalty killers came through early. Nine minutes into the game, Tanner Carter banged home a rebound with assists from Gerry Fitzgerald and Jake Bryan. The line of Tanner Carter, Craig Eisenhut, and Gerry Fitzgerald was dangerous all night.
In the second period, Michael Colantone put home the winning goal after some great work by centremen Joe Densmore. There was a ton of action at both ends of the middle frame and big saves by the Panthers Brady Berisoff kept the Panthers in the lead. Cougars goaltender Max Pelzner was outstanding and would not allow the Panthers to increase their lead.
The Cougars finally got on the board in the third, when Eric Guthrie capitalized on some good work down low by linemate Trevor McNeil on the power play to cut the lead in half. The Cougars came close several times before Evan Campbell salted the game away with his empty net goal.
Three stars of the night were Joe Densmore (Peninsula), Scott Mellett (Victoria) and Tanner Carter (Peninsula)
The VIJHL North Division Final is two games in with the Comox Valley Capitals ahead of the Kerry Park Islanders 2-0.
The VIJHL South Division Schedule is as follows:
Game 3 @ Peninsula (Panorama Rec Centre), Friday, March 12, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
Game 4 @ Victoria (Archie Browning Arena), Sunday, March 14, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
Game 5 @ Peninsula (if needed), Monday, March 15, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
Game 6 @ Victoria (if needed), Thursday, March 18, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
Game 7 @ Peninsula (if needed), Friday, March 19, 2010 @ 7:30 pm
