Lingard leads lethal attack as Panthers top Islanders 10-5 in shoot-out

January 24th, 2020
Saanichton, British Columbia

A sizeable crowd that had gathered in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre got full value for their entertainment dollar Friday night.  The Cats from the Peninsula scored early and often, many in highlight reel fashion and after a 10-5 pounding of the Kerry Park Islanders, many were left shaking their heads as they filtered out into the parking lot to a balmy and damp January night.  The 8,9,10 line, who all played their Minor Hockey in the Peninsula Minor Hockey Association, had yet another season all in one night.  Josh Lingard scored four and added two helpers.  Riley Braun added a couple of his own to go along with three assists.  And VIJHL-leading scorer Tanner Wort continued his assault on the scoring title when he added five assists.  Hockey fans on the Peninsula are seeing something special each time out and it was obvious from the buzz as the rink emptied, that most fully understood just this.

Sterling Lyon, Luc Pelletier and Lucas Thomson-Fiddes each scored to factor in the goal outburst for the locals.  And while the Panthers lit up the scoreboard, it was a bit concerning to the coaching staff that the Islanders did as well.  Lighting the lamp and leading the way for the visitors were Matt Baird with a couple and Tyler Magunson, Dawson Elzinga and Logan Furkalo with singles.

The locals had a soft schedule this weekend with Friday night being the only game on tap and so Coach Tippett decided to split the game evenly between Connor McKillop and Andrew Rocha. McKillop allowed one goal in his 30:05 time between the pipes and picked his 24th win of the season while Rocha had four pucks go by in his 29:55.  Both allowed goals that they probably would like back as they looked into the rearview mirror when the final buzzer had sounded after the 60 minutes were in the books.

Head Coach Brad Tippett was not all giggles after the game and his comments reflected that. 

"It was 2 points, each line scored, we controlled most of the game and most of all I’m glad the next two ice slots are practices.  I didn’t feel our mission for a 60 minute team effort got accomplished tonight. If that sounds like I am unhappy, that is because I am.  A couple of high risk individualistic plays shot us in one foot.  And then we reloaded by taking a couple of late foolish and selfish penalties.  That resulted in giving up two goals simply by being sloppy in our end. In the last 10 games we didn’t give up 4 power play goals. Tonight we gave up that total. We have the best penalty-killing in the league on the road and the worst at home. That has to get fixed and fast. Our players have to learn penalty-killing is about stopping the other team from scoring. It’s not about taking short cuts trying to score.  We will need to go back to work this week."

It was all fun and games on Friday night but if the Panthers have any playoff aspirations, they will have to collectively decide to make a change on the defensive end.  Tippett made that clear in his remarks.

The Panthers will have a week of practice and will then welcome in the same Kerry Park Islanders squad on Friday night.  And the Club will then travel to Victoria on Sunday afternoon to take on the Victoria Cougars.  The squad is having an outstanding year and have 31 wins in 40 games. But they have 8 games remaining to decide if they want to be a factor in the 2nd season.  The puck drops at 7:30 pm on Friday.