Panthers ready for final exhibition game Friday

The Panthers used Thursday evening in Esquimalt as a tune up to knock off the Victoria Cougars in VIJHL exhibition action.  The "Cats" from the Peninsula held period leads of 1-0, 4-2 before the score settled at 7-3 after sixty minutes of action were in the books.

Seven different Panthers hit paydirt in the win including Tanner Wort, Jonah Ragsdale, Jack Taylor, Josh Lingard, Fraser Auchterlonie, Jake "The Snake" Gajda and Tristan Ernst. 

The game was physical with perhaps the biggest hit of the contest happening in the 2nd period when Stephan Grunert got all of former Panthers' player Marshall Brown sending him crashing into the boards.  Brown got up and smiled while Grunert went to the sin bin for two minutes for a charge.

Bench Boss Brad Tippett on the evening;
"We had a very good effort last night from everyone. The exhibition games serve to help us make decision. Last night I think we had a few of players step forward and showed more than we expected. We are now in a position where we actually have a surplus of players who can play in the league."

The two long-time foes will do it again on Friday night in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre with the puck set to drop at 7:30 pm.  All tickets will be $5.00.

The Panthers will open their regular season next week when on Wednesday they head to the Q-Centre to take on the Westshore Wolves.  They will be back at home next Friday for their regular season opener when the Wolves come in to complete the back end of the home-and-home series.