Thompson pots overtime winner against the Wolves

The Peninsula Panthers cannot be scolded for not giving their fans their money's worth and, once again, on Friday night in North Saanich the game turned out to be a heart-pounder.  Playing at the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre, the "Cats" found yet another way to win in overtime, this time knocking off the Westshore Wolves in dramatic fashion on a Cam Thompson marker 0:55 into the 2nd overtime frame.  Captain Spencer Loverock beat a Wolves defender to the puck just inside the Panthers blueline, and that hustle and speed sent him and sniper Cam Thompson speeding towards Wolves' goaltender Chris Smith on a 2-1 opportunity.  The lone Wolves' defenceman shaded towards Loverock and he deftly moved the puck to Thompson who was racing through the slot.  Thompson gobbled up the Loverock feed and roofed a shot over Smith and into the back of the visitors cage to cap off a great night of up and down hockey, and to send the Panthers bench spilling onto the sheet in celebration.  It was Thompson's 2nd tally of the game and earned him a well-deserved 1st star selection in the game.

The Panthers opened the scoring at the 10:37 mark of the 1st period when Thompson finished a nice passing play from Trevor Owens and Loverock to give the Club the lead.  Shooters on both teams could not dint the armour of Smith or Panthers' starter Alex Olson for the remainder of the frame.

The Panthers opened up a 2-0 lead only 14 seconds into the 2nd period when Ty Tremblay found himself all alone in front of the Wolves' net with Smith down and out.  Tremblay sent a shot to the top of the cage and it seemed like it might just be a Panthers evening.  But disaster struck and struck quickly when the Wolves scored three times in a 59 second span.  Shots by newly acquired Brandon Tutte, Matteo Giomo and Jesse Nixon all found their way past a startled Olson and the game turned on a dime.  Head Coach Rob Mortin called a time-out to gather his troops and things seemed to settle down for the Club.  Several more chances went to each team however, after 40 minutes were in the books, the Wolves held a slim 3-2 lead.

The Panthers went on the power play just before the midway mark of the final stanza, and it would be the gritty Michael Sproule who banged in a rebound in a scramble in front of Smith.  Lanky veteran defenceman Garnett Roberts was awarded with a helper on the Sproule marker.  Perhaps the biggest save of the game was reserved for Smith when just under a minute to play, Marty Westhaver found himself all alone to the left of the Wolves' goaltender who was down and out.  Westhaver pumped a shot towards the wide open cage but Smith snaked out his left arm to save his Club in regulation.

Sixty minutes could not find a winner and so the two foes went nose to nose and toes to toes into the five-minute 4-on-4 extra stanza.  Both tenders made significant saves in the extra frame and again nothing could be decided. 

The 2nd overtime format was 3-on-3 and the Panthers chose to go with Loverock, Thompson and Owens to start.  And the three did not disappoint when Thompson eventually hit paydirt.

"I thought we were playing a great game and really had a nice 2nd period in the making," explained Mortin.  I believe we were outshooting them by an 8-1 count in the 2nd and were taking it to them, but Tutte managed to score against the flow.  And then they scored a couple more long range shots that seemed to have eyes and all of a sudden we were on our heels.  I think our guys just forgot to compete for a couple minutes and it almost cost us the game.  We have to compete for 60 minutes, we have to sacrifice, to be in those shot lanes."

Olson blocked 37 of 40 shots directed his way in picking up the win and was named the game's 3rd star.  Smith stopped 38 of 41 shots.  Wolves defenceman Calvin Walker was solid all night long, picked up two helpers on the night, and was named the contest's 2nd star.

For the Panthers, the night would be their 2nd overtime win at home this week after knocking off the Saanich Braves on Wednesday by the identical 4-3 score. 

"We need to have a great week of practice and then are looking forward to the challenge of facing the Victoria Cougars in our barn next Friday night," said Mortin.  "If we can string together 60 minutes, I think that game will be a barn burner.  The puck drops at 7:30 pm at the Panorama Recreation Centre on Friday, November 20th.  A good-sized crowd is expected be in attendance.