Wolves get last Howl in 5-3 win over visiting Panthers

October 16, 2019
Colwood, British Columbia

The Peninsula Panthers arrived a couple hours prior to their contest with the Westshore Wolves on Wednesday night at the Q Centre in Colwood.  It was a rainy evening on the Westshore and the word dreary to describe the weather outside would be well placed to describe the Panthers effort on the ice.  The Wolves took control of the game early and left little doubt that they came into the game looking to knock off the visitors.  And that they certainly did, the contest never really being in much doubt. 

Wolves Daniel Larson, Brendan Martin and Caleb Parkhouse each notched 1st period markers to give the Wolves a 3-0 lead before Mackenzie Benn-Wipp replied on an unassisted and fluke goal late in the period.

"Cats" Rookie Eric Horricks was the lone marksman in the middle frame when he took a pass from Defenceman Alex Benger and promptly snapped it past Wolves netminder Dalan Marleau.

But it was the Wolves who would have the jump when the puck dropped to open the final 20 minutes of the contest.  Ben Duffin beat Panthers goaltender Connor McKillop just 54 seconds into the 3rd stanza and then Blake Bentham scored a power play marker for the Wolves midway through the period and on the power play.  The HockeyTV timeout followed and it seemed like the Panthers had a bit of jump going into the final 10 minutes of the hockey game.  Tanner Wort scored at the 10:48 mark on assists by Riley Braun and Benger to bring the Club to within two goals at 5-3 but it was simply too little, too late.  McKillop was handed the loss while Marleau put a notch in his belt with the win.  Larson for the Wolves and Benn-Wipp for the Panthers were named as the game stars.

Head Coach Brad Tippett offered up some comments under the stands and just outside the dressing room after the game. 

"We needed to pack parachutes tonight - it’s a long drop from the penthouse to the outhouse. Last Friday was our best 60 minute effort, tonight was arguably our worst. Take nothing from Westshore- they fully deserved the two points. They were enthusiastic - the harder you work the luckier you get. Tonight they created all the luck.  I don’t normally single out individual players but Horricks, Taylor, Lyon, Maloney and Benn-Wipp were the only guys who close to their potential.  I’m glad we get right back at it at home against a good Club on Friday. We need a strong rebound game."

The Panthers will welcome in arch rival Campbell River Storm on Friday night at 7:30 pm.