Panthers take 3-1 series lead with heart-stopping 4-3 win

It takes three to get to four.  And the Peninsula Panthers have reached three with a heart-pounding and at times heart-stopping 4-3 win over the Campbell River Storm on a chilly but clear Monday evening at the Panorama Recreation Centre on the Saanich Peninsula.  With the win under their belts the Panthers have taken a 3-1 lead in the series. 

A solid Monday night crowd ventured out to watch the "Cats" try and win Game 4 on home ice and they got more than the value on their ticket.  With only 1:35 left on the clock and with the score knotted at 3-3 and with overtime seeming more than a clear posibility, Hayden Visscher walked through the neutral zone and crossed the blue line heading for Storm goaltender Aaron de Kok.  But Visscher was met by a Storm defenceman who had other ideas and he shoveled the puck a bit deeper into the offensive zone.  Panthers hulking centreman Matt Sparrow gathered in the loose puck and managed a shot on de Kok however the goaltender was up to the task and turned the shot aside.  But the result was a rebound that went right into the slot and onto the stick of 6'4" power forward Jake Gajda.  And Gajda made no mistake quickly whipping the puck into the gaping cage to give the Panthers a 4-3 lead.  His shot would prove to be the winner.

There was no scoring in the 1st period however things opened up in the middle stanza with both the Panthers and the Storm pumping three home.  Storm starter Jade Little was the victim of Panthers goals by Visscher, Braeden Hansen and Riley Braun while the Storm marksmen were Damon Kramer, Darren Hards and Pearce Messer.  But the goal that everyone will remember was the winner and it sent the faithful fans in the stands heading for the exits with smile on their collective face.

Connor McKillop picked up the win for the Panthers blocking 26 of 29 shots while the Storm duo of Goaltenders were good on 21 of 25 shots directed their way.

The series now switches to Campbell River on Tuesday night for Game 5 in what will most likely be a loud and hostile enviroment.  The puck drops in Campbell River at 7:30 pm.

Game 5       Tuesday @ 7:30 pm at Storm
Game 6        Friday @ 7:30 pm at Panthers (if needed)
Game 7        Saturday @ 7:30 pm at Storm  (if needed)