\'Cats\' break out putting 8 on the board in win

The final buzzer sounded and one glance at the shot totals on the scoreclock at the South end of the Panorama Recreation Centre told you everything you needed to know.  Panthers 55 - Glacier Kings 21.  Glacier Kings netminder Matthias Smith had played pretty solid between the pipes for the visitors while Panthers stopper Connor McKillop had made some nice saves but most likely left the rink Friday night with the feeling that he would have liked a couple back.  But it did not matter in the end as the Panthers doubled their friends from the North by an 8-4 count, a win that moved them past the Oceanside Generals and the Westshore Wolves and into 5th spot in VIJHL standings.

Every game this season has been close for the locals but Friday was one that most would think Head Coach Brad Tippett could sit back in a rocking chair and simply enjoy.  But this was probably not the case based on some of his comments. 

"As a coach you are always worried about a game like last night. Comox is in rebuild mode meaning they are young and work hard. One night soon they are going to beat someone - you just don’t want it to be you.
We had set some specific goals for the game and managed to accomplish most. It was good to get scoring from all four lines. Jake Gajda was a force on the ice every shift. He kept his composure and “Beef” line dominated."

Jake Gajda, Bryson Hines and Hayden Visscher who Coach likes to refer to as the 'Beef line' seemed to have the puck all night long.  Gajda had two goals and a couple helpers while Hines chipped in with a goal and an assist.  Visscher was dominant in both ends as well and the trio who have been together for several games clearly seems to be gaining a lot of chemistry.  The game for Gajda was probably a little bit extra special after playing last season in the Comox Valley for the first half of the season.

Pete Zubersky discussed Gajda.  "We saw Jake in an early game last year up in Comox and he was a bit out of control and eventually was tossed from the game in the 3rd period.  But he was a presence out on the ice and has a big body and showed some skill and we were interested in seeing what he might do in a different atmosphere down here.  We went out and got him over the summer.  Coach has done a great job and Jake has really bought in and his four-point night last night was clearly the highlight in his Junior Career so far.  He plays big, we love that.  But he adds a whole lot more than that.  We are excited to see what player he will be in a few more months."

"Scotty Arbuckle was up in Comox last year as well and I know he was looking forward to the game," continued Zubersky.  "He is getting better and better each outing.  I was talking to his billet family in the lobby last night and they could not say enough about the young man and how he has fit into their family.  It's great hearing that and once again, we are thrilled to have both of the Comox kids right here on the Peninsula."

Helpng Gajda and Hines in the scoring department were Logan Speirs, Riley Braun, Joe Stafford-Veale, Tanner Wort and Josh Lingard.

Gajda, defenceman Brendan McTavish with two helpers and Wort were named the three stars.

The Panthers head up to Mill Bay Saturday evening to take on the Kerry Park Islanders.  They will be in Saanich against the Braves on Wednesday evening and then right back in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre next Friday night when they will host the Westshore Wolves at 7:30 pm