VIJHL League Champs

Panthers Crowned 2008/09 R.S. League Champions

Panthers had to wait till the last game of the regular season to win the Andy Hebenton Trophy, handed out to the VIJHL Regular Season Champions., but did it in fine fashion shutting out the Stingers 11-0. League President Brian Harrison will make the presentation to the Panthers at their first play-off game this Friday night at the Panorama Recreation Centre before the start of the game. This is the second Andy Hebenton Banner for the Cats' as VIJHL league champs, last taking the title back in 2004-05, snapping the Campbell River Storms four straight titles.

Two other Panther players will be honored Friday night as well. Twenty year old forward Dan Bell for the second straight year led the league in scoring surpassing his 64 points last season, with 32 goals, 46 assists for 78 points. Twenty year old goaltender Andrew Wilson takes top spot in the VIJHL goals against average race, making it back to back years for the Cats goalie tandem, as his teammate Scott Ismond was last years winner. Wilson finished strong down the stretch posting a GAA of 2.54 to capture the title in his final season of junior.

It was a great race for the top spot in the league, and the Panthers have home ice advantage through-out the play-offs. Panthers will host the Westshore Stingers in round one, starting at home this Friday night as mentioned. Game two shifts to Juan de Fuca Monday night, with game three back at the Panorama Recreation Centre Tuesday February 24th. Game time for all home games in the first series is 7:30 pm.

Panthers won the season series against the Stingers eight games to nil, out scoring their opposition 62-16.

Panthers power play finished tops in the league scoring 77 goals on 324 chances for 23.77%. The penalty kill finished fourth in the league giving up 50 goals on 295 kills, for 83.05%. Both the Stingers power play, and penalty kill finished on the bottom. Panthers come into the play-offs with 7 wins, 2 losses, and 1 overtime loss in their last ten. Stingers are 0 and 10 in their last ten. At home the Cats are 18-2-4, and the Stingers are 0-24 on the road.

In the other South Island semi-final series, Victoria Cougars will host the Saanich Braves. The first game in that series is slated to start this Thursday in Esquimalt.

In the North it will be Oceanside hosting Campbell River, and Comox pays a visit to Kerry Park. All series are the best of seven.

Come cheer on your Panthers as they start their drive to the Patterson Memorial Trophy: VIJHL League Playoff Champions, and the 2009 Cyclone Taylor Cup, in Richmond BC April 2nd to 5th.

Game one Friday February 20th, puck drops at 7:30 pm.

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