Panthers back into win column with 4-point night by Braun in 5-3 verdict over Storm

October 18, 2019
North Saanich, British Columba

The Peninsula Panthers might not have brought their "A" game on Friday night at home in the confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre but it was enough to nail down a 5-3 win over the visiting Campbell River Storm. And with the Victoria Cougars downing the Kerry Park Islanders 4-1 just a few kilometers down the road at the Archie Browning Arena the stage has been set as the two South Division opponents are set to tangle at the Archie Browning Arena on Sunday afternoon.  The "Cats" from the Peninsula might be well advised to bring a lot more than they have shown in a pair of games this past week. 

Riley Braun paced the Panthers with a goal and three helpers while linemates Josh Lingard added three assists and Tanner Wort notched a couple of markers.  The last was on a breakaway in the final minute of play and into an empty net as the Storm had gone with the extra attacker in an effort to tie the game.  Rooke Matt Seale scored his first career Junior goal midway through the middle frame and with that tally every single skater on the Club has at least one notch in his belt.

Finding the Panthers net with markers for the Storm were Keenan Toal, Kyle Jennings and Grady Franklin.

Connor McKillop picked up the win stopping 22 of 25 pucks directed his way while Storm's Knute Loe absorbed the loss blocking 23 of 27 shots.

Head Coach Brad Tippett had a couple comments just outside the dressing room before he disappeared into the night. 

"Far from our best effort but better than Wednesday.  We still have guys trying to be too cute with the puck.  Soft passes, soft shoot-ins that didn’t get the puck behind the defence and waiting for the perfect shot. Hard to get a forechecking game going when our shoot-ins are more like passes to their defensemen and they just counter right back at you. It was basically a non-contact game which is not our forte. We had some better individual performances but we will need to be much much better collectively. Regardless - it doesn’t have to be a Masterpiece to get two points. Tonight was more a paint by numbers effort that still got us a win."

The Panthers will be back at home next Friday night when they welcome in the visiting Saanich Braves for a 7:30 pm start.