Panthers drop heart-breaker in Overtime

North Saanich, B.C.
September 8th, 2018

The Peninsula Panthers welcomed in the Westshore Wolves for their home opener last night but in reality, the last thing that they wanted was to be a great host.  Yes, they wanted to make sure that everything was taken care of for the visitors when they were off the ice, but they certainly did not want to treat them to a victory.  But the Wolves had other ideas and made off like a gang of bandits, stealing the game when they scored late in the final stanza to knot the game at 3-3 and then followed it up early into the first overtime frame with the winner. 

The Panthers pre-game ceremony was one for the ages when the Club utilized their huge video screen for really the first time.  Although there are still some pieces to be added - replays for the next home game - and some wrinkles to be ironed out, the addition to the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre clearly doubled the entertainment value on the evening.  The Panthers opened with a heartfelt tribute to the Humbolt Broncos and one could hear a pin drop in the Panorama as it unfolded.  This was followed by a second video which highlighted the Hockeyville win and which ultimately brought the screen to the Peninsula.  It went on to showcase the most beautiful place in the world and one in which we are all fortunate to reside.  And finally, the Club was showcased in a dressing room and on-ice scene.

"The barn had a whole different feel to it last night," explained Pete Zubersky.  "I could feel it.  As we ran videos and graphics throughout the game, the fans were locked in.  At one point, a Wolves' player received a five-minute major for running our goaltender Chris Akerman and after it was clear that he was able to continue, a clip from the Slapshot movie had the fans roaring with laughter.  The Wolves' Coaching staff commented to me after the game on what an amazing atmosphere it was.  It really changes things for us."

But while it was all peaches and cream off the ice, Head Coach Brad Tippett was clearly disappointed with the result.   "We came out of the gate revved up from the opening ceremonies.  Hines made a huge open-ice hit but we ran into four ticky tack penalties which killed all of the momentum.  Soft coverage on their first power play goal, watching the puck and allowing a player to slip in behind our defence on the Wolves' 2nd goal, and suddenly we were down 2-0.  I thought we took the game over at that point and controlled it until midway through the 3rd.  By then we had taken the lead at 3-2.  We had three or four great chances to put them away including the long four-minute power play in the third, but we did not capitalize.  We didn't finish around the net and that allowed them to keep it at a one goal-game.  At that point, one mistake can hurt and that's what happened to allow them to tie it.  I will refrain from any comment on the penalty in OT."

As Tippett explained, the Wolves scored two markers in the first on goals by Didrik Lillehaug and Connor Eddy and the two teams went to the first intermission with the Panthers trailing by the pair.  But at the 5:34 mark, Josh Lingard carried the puck into the Wolves' zone and he worked some magic with Riley Braun behind the visitors' net before Braun found Tanner Wort all alone in front of Wolves' starter Jordan Spandli.  Wort one-timed the pass from Braun and it was game on.  And the "Cats" did not wait long to get the fans out of their seats once again.  At 10:37, Veteran Zack Evans moved the puck in his own end to speedster Jonah Ragsdale and he in turn chipped the puck to Logan Speirs who was in close support.  Speirs sped down the right side and then deftly dropped the puck to Ragsdale in the high slot.  And Ragsdale made no mistake on a one-timer as he beat Spandli to knot the game at 2-2 after 40 minutes were in the books.

The locals did not stop.  At 2:20 of the 3rd period power-forward Jake Gajda worked hard on the forecheck and Bryson Hines was there to pick up the loose puck that was created.  Hines skated in and from a tough angle his shot beat Spandli but went off the post and fell in front right onto the stick of linemate Jack McMillan.  And McMillan made no mistake giving the Panthers their first lead of the game.

The Panthers had a number of chances to put a dagger in the heart of the visitors but it was not to be and with only four minutes remaining in the game, Wolves' Captain Keegan Durrance sent a shot towards Panthers' starter Chris Akerman.  The puck bounced off one of the Panthers' defenders and snuck through the wickets of Akerman to tie the game and send it into overtime. 

At the 0:53 mark Panthers Scott Arbuckle was whistled for boarding, a call that just about everyone in attendance and on the Panthers bench firmly disagreed with.  And that call set the stage for the power play winner by Blake Bentham.

"I watched the Arbuckle play unfold and was surprised at the call," quipped Zubersky.  "I went right into the office and watched it on the live stream about three times and will still use the word 'surprised', especially at that point in the game.  Stripes was a lot closer than I was and was closer than about 350 fans who walked out of the rink talking about that call, so I guess he saw it differently.  It was a really tough way to end a great game and a great night."

The Panthers will be back at it next Friday night when they welcome in the visiting Oceanside Generals.