Gilbertson finishes exciting evening in dramatic fashion

August 27, 2021
North Saanich, British Columbia

As fans on the Peninsula began to filter into the confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre last night, there was an unusual buzz of excitement.  This was the first time that local supporters of the Peninsula Panthers had been able to see their team since November of last year, a fact that was not lost on any of the faithful.

"I cannot tell you how many masked people came up to me last night to express just how happy they were to be back in the rink," quipped Panthers GM Pete Zubersky.  "The game itself was almost secondary, they were truly just happy to be there.  I was out in the parking lot at 5:00 pm and there were a couple of fans already waiting for 7:30 pm.  I asked them why they had come so early and they both responded that they just wanted to be at the rink once again.  It made me think about how important the game is to people."

And for an August exhibition contest, these same fans were treated well.  Both the visiting Westshore Wolves and the home side Peninsula Panthers sat out a significant number of veterans in order for each coaching staff to assess the hopefuls for the upcoming 2021/22 season.  Seventeen-year-old Rogan Bacon went the whole way in goal for the Panthers while Ben Edwards guarded the net for the visitors.  Both were stellar throughout the affair - a game decided just 65 ticks into overtime on a blistering snap shot off the stick of Panthers Grant Gilbertson on helpers from Mason McNeill and Aleko Sdrakas to give his squad the heart-pounding 3-2 win. 

Bench Boss Brad Tippett was very satisfied after the game was in the books and expressed some of his thoughts when interviewed in the tunnel outside the dressing room minutes after he had addressed his troops: 

"There were plenty of positives tonight. Skill wise, competiveness, effort – the entire staff left feeling we really have a good foundation to start the season. There were some aspects we didn’t like, but all are fixable. Some of it was just rust. You could tell Westshore had played two exhibition games already as they had that little extra edge and game speed. It took us a while to get into that speed with this being our initial crack at exhibition action.  Exhibition games involve a two-step process for coaching staffs. The veterans and the rookies have to be looked at separately. The young guys we had in all made a good accounting of themselves. For the most part they kept the game simple and adapted to the different pace. They made some mistakes, but not effort mistakes. The expectation level for the veterans is different. Some of our older players were trying to be a little too cute, trying to do too much. That is part of the maturing process of all players. By the third period they were back in sync.  The game also exposed some areas where we will need to focus on going forward."

Bacon and Edwards each held firm though 40 minutes and although both squads had excellent scoring opportunites, the pair of targets were equal to the task.  But the marksmen began to find their collective range with four goals scored in the final stanza.  Wolves Kobe Knowles, who seemed to be dangerous most of the evening, opened the scoring on an unassisted marker at the 3:42 mark when he collected the disk only 12 feet in front of Bacon and promptly snapped it by the young goaltender.  There had been several opportunities by a number of Panthers defenders to clear the puck just seconds before the goal, issues that Tippett and his staff will surely look at correcting in the coming days.  Rugged Panthers forward Owen Cox had been somewhat quiet, but early in the 2nd frame began to throw his weight around and it certainly injected energy and excitement.  And Cox was rewarded at the 10:05 mark when he beat Edwards from close in with Tanner Banks and Ryan Grambart hitting the scoresheet with helpers on the play.  Gilbertson scored with only 2:10 remaining on assists from Griffin Gilmour and Davey Moody and it appeared as though the 'Cats' were about to collect the win.  Not so fast!  Just 63 seconds later and with just 1:07 left in regulation time, Trehy Sidaway burst in on Bacon and made no mistake with a shot to the blocker side to knot the score at 2-2.  It set the stage for the Gilbertson overtime winner and one that came with some excitement and emotion.  After beating Edwards to light up the video screen, the crafty centreman who is affectionally known as 'The Duke of Sooke' made a right turn towards the stands, took three hard strides and then leaped into the glass in celebration.  The Panthers lineup spilled over the boards and raced across the sheet to share in a few giggles with Gilbertson.  The group then saluted the crowd before heading off to the dressing room to hear what Tippett's thoughts were on their effort and on the win.

The Club will practice Tuesday night before heading to Westshore on Wednesday to face the Wolves in the back end of the home-and-home exhibition pair of games.  The squad will then practice on Thursday night before being right back at home Friday evening when they play host to the visiting Saanich Predators.  The full lineup of regulars are expected for both of these final tune-up games before the Team settles into the Regular Season in September.  200 fans will be admitted next Friday.