Poland scores twice in his Panthers' debut

Josh Poland was simply looking for opportunity and it came knocking when he was dealt from the Saanich Braves to the Peninsula Panthers less than a week ago.  And on Friday night in his first game with his new Club Poland was spot on as he notched both Panthers goals in a 6-2 loss against the visiting Nanaimo Buccaneers in VIJHL action.

Poland opened the scoring at the 15:55 mark when he beat Buccaneers goaltender Greg Maggio from close in on helpers from Grayden Hohl and Kiefer Evans.  But the Bucs would manage to solve Panthers started Jacob Krupp with only 3 ticks left in the period and the two teams skated to the intermission with the score knotted at 1-1.   The middle stanza solved nothing as both goalies were forced to make solid saves at both ends but a patched up Panthers lineup could have easily have been up a goal or two.

The roof caved in during the final 20 minutes.  Although the shots were 10-10 in the 3rd period it would be the Bucs taking control outscoring the Panthers 5-1.  Including in the Buccaneers totals were two power play markers, a short-handed tally and an empty net goal.  Poland responded at the 17:20 mark on an assist from Evans but it was too little too late.  Affiliate goaltender Tyrus Sleigholme mopped up in goal for the Panthers playing the final eight minutes.

"I suppose when you are snake-bitten it's tough to get that first win," said Panthers co-coach Rob Mortin.  "We had eight guys out of our lineup and five or six of them are really key to our success.  We even had two that were involved in an accident a couple hours before the game and so it made things even that much tougher."

The Panthers should welcome at least three or four of the walking wounded back into the lineup on Wednesday evening when they travel to Saanich to take on the Braves and will be right back home on Friday night when they play host to the red hot Campbell River Storm.  The puck is set to drop at the Panorama Recreation Centre at 7:30 pm.