Lingard pots late winner as Panthers claw the Wolves 4-3

Friday, October 4th, 2019
North Saanich, B.C.

The Peninsula Panthers bested the visiting Westshore Wolves 4-3 in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre and it took a late Josh Lingard marker to put his squad over the finish line.  With the game knotted at 3-3 and with only 1:34 left on the clock, Lingard beat Wolves' netminder Dalan Marleau, a feat that had not been easy all night long.  Riley Braun and Tanner Wort were awarded with helpers on the game winner.

The Panthers had all the play in the 1st period but Marleau was up to the task as was Panthers' stopper Connor McKillop.

The Wolves took a 2-1 lead after 40 minutes were in the books on goals by Blake Bentham and Andy Westhaver on the power play.  Matt Sparrow scored the lone marker for the Panthers when he gathered in a puck to the right of Marleau, circled into the high slot and then absolutely drilled a shot past the startled Wolves' starter.

Coach Tippett must have whispered into the ears of his players during the intermission as it was a different Club that graced the ice in the 3rd period.  The Panthers threw 20 shots at Marleau over the last 20 minutes, many of them from point blank range.  And they scored three goals including the winner by Lingard.  Also chipping in with singles were Lucas Thomson-Fiddes with an assist from Sterling Lyon, and Braun with assists going to Wort and Skyler Diamond-Burchuk.  Klassen scored for the Wolves.

Head Coach Brad Tippett seemed to enjoy the game but it certainly was a dog fight all night long.  "We knew the Wolves have a good team. They remind me of where we were a year ago - young, skilled and competitive. Marleau make some big saves to keep the game tight and as soon as we make a mistake, it was in our net. It was a hard game to play and to coach - there didn’t seem to have a lot of flow - lots of whistles. We had guys who were fighting to get mentally engaged. Our Kid Line has some shifts where they did what they do best - cause chaos in the other end with relentless pursuit. We threw them out early in the third and they simply forechecked until they got rewarded for their efforts. That sparked a 20 shot 3 goal third period. We still have plenty of work to do - better pursuit, better battle for loose pucks, eliminate soft pinches and clean up some restraining fouls. We can’t dodge those bullets forever."

McKillop picked up the win blocking 18 of 21 shots while Marleau absorbed the loss but had a steller performance stopping 35 of 39 pucks directed his way.  Marleau and Braun were named the Game Stars for their respective Clubs.

The Panthers head to Oceanside on Saturday evening where they will try to knock off the North Division-leading Generals.  The Club will then be in Nanaimo next Thursday night before coming back home next Friday when they will welcome in the Generals.