Entertaining All-Rookie Game ends up KP 4 - Panthers 2

Kerry Park Islanders' Coach Aaron Spotts and Peninsula Panthers' Bench Boss Brad Tippett had been discussing an all-rookie affair to open up the exhibition season and Friday evening at the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre did not disappoint.  The puck dropped at 7:30 pm and for almost all of the skaters for both teams, it would be their first taste of Junior action. 

There were a lot of smiles and wide eyes in the 15-minute warm-up as the two youthful squads prepared in front of a good-sized crowd.  Steven Reid started between the pipes for the home "Cats" and, although looking a bit shakey in the early minutes, gained composure and was stellar throughout the 30 minutes he played.  He was particularly strong in the 2nd frame when he blocked several shots from point blank range.

Panthers' non-stop energy player Fraser Auchterlonie opened the scoring for the home side when he batted in a puck from in tight to tally an unassisted marker.  The only only other marker from the Panthers came from Aleko Sdrakas who knifed through a pair of Islanders' defenceman to get in alone, and he made no mistake finding nothing but twine.  Luke Van Es and Brendan McTavish were awarded helpers on the play.

The time ran out on the Panthers but the take-away from the game was that 35-40 players were involved in their first Junior game and it was a great experience for all.

Bench boss Brad Tippett was directing his troops on the bench for the first period, however he left the coaching to his three assistants Mike Cox, Matt Chester and Jackson Skerratt for the final two frames.  And Tippett was pleased with the game and with the opportunity to watch a bunch of kids compete; players that might be a year or two away from playing in the League. 

"Tonight's game was a true introduction to Jr. Hockey for 90% of our lineup," said Tippett.  "We were younger by a year than the KP roster including 15-year-old Eathan Ewer who more than held his ground.  Defenceman Koby Bujdoso continues to get better each day and Fraser Auchterlonie was a spark plug up front.  Our guys have been playing against each other for 9 or 10 days and it gets comfortable.  Playing against a bigger and older opponent gave us a clearer picture where each player was in terms of being Junior Hockey ready.  For many of our young guys, this game was a reward for working hard during the camp.  We have returned 15 players from tonight's game back to their minor hockey rosters."

The Panthers will travel to Kerry Park tomorrow night playing many of their regulars in the game set to start at 6:00 pm.  The squad will then have a week of practice before taking on the Victoria Cougars on Thursday night and then the Cougars again at the Panorama next Friday evening to end their exhibition season.  All tickets for next Friday's game will be set at $5.00.

Panthers Tracks....Thomas Spink and Alex Benger are away at a Junior A camp in Calgary and the Club is awaiting the results of their tryout....almost the entire team was in the stands to watch the all-rookie affair....Skyler Diamond-Burchuk and Tristan Ernst will arrive in Victoria on Monday....Josh Lingard has just returned from his Junior A tryout in Port Alberni with the Bulldogs and will see action tomorrow night...Tanner Wort was considering a school option in Kelowna, however has decided to attend Camosun College this fall....