Svienson finally back home kicking out pucks for the Panthers

October 4th, 2020
North Saanich, B.C.

Right around 9:45 pm the buzzer sounded in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre, home of the Peninsula Panthers Jr. Hockey Club.  The Team had just completed a heart-stopping 3-2 win in their Home Opener over their arch-rivals, the Victoria Cougars.  The game was in the balance with just six minutes left but Captain Tanner Wort ripped the winner from just ten feet out and the Club hung on for the all-important win.  Panthers' Goaltender Connor Svienson had been simply outstanding in his debut knocking aside 27 of 29 shots to pick up his first win in his first game as a Panther.  For his efforts, the amiable stopper was named the Player of the Game.  There was a lot of excitement right at the buzzer, but Svienson had his mind set on retrieving the game puck and did so only a couple ticks after the game was in the books.  He then took time to enjoy the win with his new mates.

Svienson had arrived on the Peninsula with the Panthers in mid-September after a trade with the Saanich Junior Club.  He had played on the Peninsula for most of his Minor Hockey but toiled with the Victoria Major Midget Royals for two years before signing with Saanich last season as an 18-year-old.  The Panthers had a powerful Club and had been dominant in a couple games against Saanich however Svienson was absolutely lights out and had come out with wins on a couple of occasions.  But now he was back in his home rink playing for his hometown Junior Hockey Club and watching him enjoy the next 30 minutes after the opening night win, it was obvious that he could not be any happier coming back to the den.

"Since being traded I have felt completely at home," explained Svienson.  "Being around my buddies I grew up playing with made the transition super easy.  At the beginning of August I didn’t think I was gonna be able to play hockey this year because of my conflicting work schedule with Saanich’s practice schedule.  It’s always exciting to be going to the rink to play with my buddies again."

The veteran stopper will have to battle for ice with a couple other solid goaltenders on the squad but if Friday night was any indication, Svienson is certainly up to the challenge.

Head Coach Brad Tippett had been going back and forth with the Saanich Organization, trying to come to terms for a deal which would move the stoppers Postal Code just a bit North of the George Pearkes Arena.

"We finally made this dance work out when we traded with Sannich to acquire Connor," quipped Panthers Bench Boss Brad Tippett.  "There have been times in the past where we needed a goaltender and he was playing elsewhere.  There have been times he was looking for a place and we already had our goaltending in place. This season is unique as many teams are considering carrying three goaltenders as affiliated players are not available.  Connor fits in well as he has played with many of our Players - Lingard, Wort, Braun, Speirs - in Minor Hockey.  Last season we had 2 games where we badly out-played Saanich and he stopped 60+ shots to steal a couple wins for them. We are looking for him to play that stingy for us and he did just that on Friday night."

The Panthers hit the ice this Thursday night in Esquimalt against the Cougars and will be right back at the Panorama on Friday evening at 7:30 pm when they host the same Cougars squad.  No General Admission tickets will be available.