Friday - That one word says it all!

The Peninsula Panthers and Westshore Wolves went head-to-head in the first game of the home-and-home series at the Q Centre on Friday night and it was visiting "Cats" that came out on top by a 7-4 count.  The game was tight for the entire 60 minutes in what was a back and forth affair.  With both teams having only two games remaining in the regular season and knotted in the VIJHL South standings, Friday at the Panorama Recreation Centre should be one for the ages.

"We have so much happening on Friday that it would have been a crazy night even if the game was meaningless," quipped Pete Zubersky.  "But with the Wolves and our Club tied for 2nd place in the South, it really could not get any better.  Hockey in the League has been so close all season long, I don't think anyone would have thought it would come down to the final couple games.  And Kerry Park is only two points behind, what a difference one game can and will make."

On Wednesday evening, it was the Panthers who drew first blood at the 4:35 mark.  Seventeen-year-old Ben Dawson was set up in the high slot by Grayden Hohl and Josh Poland and the youngster ripped a high wrist shot on the glove side past Leighton Williams.  But the lead would be short-lived.  The Wolves went to the power play and at the 7:56 mark, Tomba Huddlestan blasted a puck from the point that went wide of the Panthers net.  The puck took a crazy bounce off the end wall, went off "Cats" starter Shawn Parkinson's pad and into the back of the net.  The trio of Poland, Dawson and Hohl and their mates would not be denied on the night and it was Poland's turn at the 10:08 mark to hit paydirt on helpers from his two line mates.  And the line hit pay dirt again only two minutes later when Hohl scored with an assist going to Poland, giving the Panthers a 3-1 lead going into the first intermission.

The Wolves were not done and came out of the gate hard on their first shift of the 2nd stanza.  Speedy centreman Branden Tangney deflected a puck past Parkinson with only 16 seconds left and the goal spelled the end of the night for the big 16-year-old goaltender. 

"I thought that Parky looked to have some butterflies and seemed to struggle on some of the shots in the first period," said Head Coach Rob Mortin.  "We decided to go to Alex Olson.  In a game that is this important, I really did not feel we could wait and see if Parky would respond and so made the move."

Olson made several key saves as did Williams and at the 9:03 mark, Nicholas Polomark tied the game at 3-3 when he beat Olson.  The Panthers went on a power play of their own and Hohl converted on a pass from Poland.   And they scored another power play marker at the 18:51 mark when Kai Turner beat Williams with Trevor Owens garnering an assist.

The two teams exchanged goals in the final stanza, Kayden Peck scoring at the 5:38 mark and then Cam Thompson scoring for the Panthers on a blistering snap shot at the 14:15 mark to give the Panthers the two-goal edge once again.  And with only 31 seconds left and the Panthers killing a penalty, Mitch Moloney gathered in a puck at his own blueline and he sent a wrist shot that found nothing but an empty net as Williams was on the bench for the extra attacker.

With the win by the visitors, the stage is set for Friday evening at the Panorama Recreation Centre when the two Clubs will go at it once again.  The Panthers will be wearing a specially designed 3rd jersey for the game and the jerseys will be gifted to lucky Peninsula Minor Hockey Players after the contest is over during an on-ice draw.  The Club has made up extra jerseys and several of these will be gifted to fans in attendance at the same time.  Peden RV Superstore will pull a travel trailer onto the ice and a draw will be held where the lucky winner will have the unit for one week of their choosing sometime before the end of September.  And there is more.  A very special ceremony that promises to not leave a dry eye in the house will be held immediately after the first period before the ice is cleaned.  The fans are encouraged to arrive early for the 7:30 pm start as a capacity crowd is expected.  It really does not get any better in Junior Hockey!