Tung licks Panthers plate clean with stellar performance

October 30th, 2021
North Saanich, B.C.

With Halloween just around the corner, the Port Alberni Bombers came into the confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre with a few tricks up their collective sleeves.  And when the final buzzer sounded, they were the group who would get the treat as goaltender Callum Tung licked the Panthers' bowl of milk clean.

The Panthers had been playing some of their best hockey of the season coming into Friday's affair but rather than looking in the rear view mirror, they might have been better served checking out a hungry team right in front of them.  The Bombers had just lost their top player to the Alberta Junior Hockey League, had a couple goaltenders who were less than 100%, and had a number of players who were on the shelf with various suspensions after a dust-up on Wednesday evening against the Oceanside Generals.  And perhaps this combination allowed the home side to take the visitors lightly, a mistake that cost them an important two-points in the tight Southern Division of the VIJHL.

"We dramatically outshot them 55-21 but turned a couple pucks over while we were on the powerplay and did not get the big save when we needed it and that was a big part of the difference," said Panthers Governor Pete Zubersky.  "But I saw those guys diving in front of shots and making 2nd and 3rd efforts while I think we were happy to try and win without paying a price.  We had some quality chances that their goaltender got in front of, but I can't even count the number of saves he made from routine shots 30 feet out and 2 feet off the ice.  He gloved those pucks time after time, I could have made those saves.  The opposing goaltender has been the opponent's best player, night in and night out against us.  Until our guys get into the shot lanes and take away the goaltenders eyes, we will continue to outshoot and dominate teams without getting the results we are looking for.  When only one guy is willing, it's hard to do.  When three guys are willing, it is easier.  When five or six guys are willing, it is catchy and everyone wants to do it.  Last night we had nobody who was willing.  Last night was a glaring example, maybe the best example of the year."

Ashton Lukan made the start for the 'Cats' however after allowing all five goals on just 17 shots in 36 minutes of action, his night came to an early end as Rogan Bacon took over between the pipes.  Lukan was yanked after the 5th puck went by him giving the visitors a commanding 5-1 lead with just over 17 minutes left in the game to try and do something about it, the situation looked bleak.  Grant Gilbertson was the lone marksman to that point when he scored on the power play deep in the 2nd stanza.  But the Club were on the power play and a nice passing play started by Riley Braun to Logan Speirs and then finished off with a shot from eight feet out by Payton Braun, put them back within three at 5-2.  With 6:55 left in the contest, Speirs gave the local fans a glimmer of hope when he beat Tung and then at the 16:22 mark, it was Riley Braun's turn to light the lamp to make it a one-goal game at 5-4.  The Panthers pressed in the final three minutes but Tung was up to the task and as the buzzer sounded and the visitors spilled over the wall to celebrate, there was a sense that the way the evening had played out was an opportunity lost.

Tung was selected as the visitors' Player of the Game knocking down 51 of 55 shots he faced and also collected a notch on his belt in the win column.  Lukan was tagged with the loss.  Bacon stopped all four shots he faced.  Panthers defenceman Matt Seale skated miles on the evening and chipped in with two helpers and was named as the Player of the Game for the home side.

The Panthers will have a week of practice before welcoming in the visiting Victoria Cougars next Friday night with the puck set to drop at 7:30 pm.