Panthers knock off Preds but downed by Islanders in two South Division tilts

October 16, 2021
North Saanich, British Columbia

After a busy weekend and a goaltender aquisition in the form of 19-year-old Ashton Lukan coming via the Port Alberni Bombers, the Peninsula Panthers were ready and willing on Wednesday evening in Saanich against the Predators.  Lukan made his first start between the pipes for the 'Cats' and although the game was tight and knotted at 4-4 with the Panthers Grant Gilbertson cooling off in the sin bin after a late 3rd period infraction, all was not lost.  Veteran Logan Speirs had been kept off the scoresheet with under two minutes left in the contest but was not thinking about extending his 13-game point streak.  He was out with Denver Maloney in hopes of killing off the Gilbertson penalty and hopefully move the game into the extra stanza.  It was not to be.  With 1:57 left, Maloney gobbled up a loose puck deep in the Predators zone and threw a puck at Preds netminder Andrew Brabender.  The big stopper had been outstanding in the contest to that point however he misplayed the rather innocent Maloney attempt and left a juicy rebound right onto the stick of Speirs at the top of the crease.  Speirs deftly pulled the puck around Brabender and backhanded the game winner to silence the crowd and send his squad home happy and with two points in the bag.

Other marksmen for the visitors were Theodore St-Denis with a pair, and David Moody and Gilbertson each with singles.  Lukan blocked 29 of 33 shots in collecting his first win with his new mates while St-Denis packed home the Panthers Player of the Game.

Kyle Brown led the scoring parade for the Predators with a pair of late 3rd period markers, while Ashton Underhill and Taylor Webb each chipped in with singles.  Brabender took the loss in blocking 34 of 39 shots sent his direction while Webb was selected as the Player of the Game for his side.

The boys from North Saanich were back in the friendly confines on Friday night looking to put some distance between the Islanders and themselves, but those plans were squashed with a 5-2 loss including an empty net tally.  Lukan once again was between the pipes and although he was solid, it was simply not enough on the evening as he was able to get in front of 23 of 27 Islanders shots in the loss.  Payton Braun scored both of the Panthers' goals with assists on both markers coming off the sticks of Speirs and Riley Braun.  With the assists, Speirs remains the only marksman in the VIJHL to have scored in every game and has now run his point streak to 15 straight games.  Payton Braun was selected as Panthers Player of the Game.

Five different scorers got onto the sheet for the visitors including Mateo Sjoberg, Reid Fitzpatrick, Marko Tokic, Jackson Egan and Logan Walker with the empty netter.  The real story of the game was Islanders' youthful netminder Eric Young.  The 16-year-old target blocked 38 of 40 shots, many of which were at point blank range in collecting both the win and the Islanders Player of the Game.

The Panthers utilized affiliate player Tristan Rosenblood for the affair and the diminutive but highly skilled 17-year-old forward impressed.  Head Coach Brad Tippett mentioned Rosenblood in his post-game comments:

"The loss on the scoreboard had a familiar ring to it. We played well but didn't capitalize on our many chances early.  The opposition goalie was the star of the game and we made enough miscues to be fatal and the loss to our roster from injuries to key players hurts even worse.  Eight games in thirteen nights has been taxing on a full roster. We haven’t been able to dress a full roster for most of the eight games and finished off tonight with 14 skaters. It has given some players an opportunity to play in roles they may not have previously had the chance. We hope that this situation pays dividends in the long term. For now, we just need to stay positive and continue to teach. It is often said that all the bounces and breaks even out in a season. Let’s hope that holds true!
 
We called up Tristan Rosenblood from the Vitoria Midget 1 Admirals. He showed up well and he will get the opportunity to play more."

The Panthers do not have much time to lick their wounds as they travel to Esquimalt on Sunday afternoon for a date with the Victoria Cougars.  On Wednesday they will be at the Q Centre to take on the Westshore Wolves before returning to the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centrre next Friday night for a tilt with the North Division leading Campbell River Storm.  The puck is set to drop at 7:30 pm.