Riley Braun caps off 5-4 win with last-minute marker up in Mill Bay

November 6, 2021
Mill Bay, British Columbia

The Peninsula Panthers were fresh off a 4-1 win over the Victoria Cougars Friday night in the confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre but a rested Kerry Park Islanders squad waited their arrival on Saturday in Mill Bay for a 7:30 pm start.  And it might have been a wise decision for the Arena Staff to make sure their defibrillator was working when with only 45 ticks remaining in the game, Panthers Captain Riley Braun took a feed from brother Payton just inside the blueline and promptly beat Islanders goaltender Dryden Demelo for the winning marker.  The Panthers held the fort for the final 45 seconds and romped to the dressing room when all was said and done with the all important 5-4 win and the two points in the standings.  And with the win the Club moved four points on top of the Islanders and also remained within three points of the Westshore Wolves who knocked off the Comox Valley Glacier Kings tonight.

The game was evenly played with Demelo and Panthers starter Ashton Lukan making key saves along the way.  And with the Islanders leading 4-3 and with the game looking like it might slip away, the Panthers went on the power play after Brady Estabrook was sent to the sin bin with just over four minutes remaining.  The 'Cats' went to work and tossed around the puck like it was on a string before Riley Braun sent a pass through the high slot and cross ice to Grant Gilbertson.  Gilbertson gatherered in the disk and got the puck to the back of the net from 22 feet out before Demelo could come across and the tying marker set up the dramatic ending to the game.

Also lighting the lamp for the Panthers was Logan Speirs, Payton Braun and newly-found sniper Tristan Rosenblood.  The Braun brothers each had a goal and two helpers while Speirs had a goal and one helper.  The VIJHL leading defenceman Matt Seale added a couple of assists and skated miles on the evening.

Replying for the home side was Reid Fitzpatrick, Cole Sloboda, Mateo Sjoberg and Colton Thompson.  Demelo stopped 40 of 45 Panthers scoring attempts while Lukan was good on 30 of 34 shots sent flying in his direction.  Payton Braun and Thompson picked up the Player of the Game for their respective Clubs.

GM/Head Coach Brad Tippett stopped for a few comments before heading out for a wet drive down to North Saanich:

"I'm sure everyone – players, coaches, and everyone else related to the team – had to be proud of our weekend. Courage, commitment, consistency and better communication helped earn all four points. I thought Friday we had a very solid effort. We managed the puck well, worked hard, worked smart, stuck to the plan and stayed composed during the ups and downs that happen every game against the Cougars. Against Kerry Park, our power play connected twice when the game was on the line. We gave big saves at critical times. I thought Lukan was better in goal on Saturday even though we gave up four goals against Kerry Park and only one against Victoria on Friday. Our fourth line was a positive factor highlighted with Tristan Rosenblood scoring his first VIJHL goal. He tallied again on Saturday with a great set up from Julien Phillips and David Moody. Phillips delivered a couple bone-crunching checks in both games.

We are still playing short-handed on defence due to injuries. Seale, McNeill and Fryer logged huge minutes while Robson Scott and Malcolm Fletcher were really effective in supporting roles. Our leaders have been positive leaders. Riley Braun turned a puck over in Kerry Park that led to a goal against; he came back to the bench and loudly told everyone that one was on him. It was only fitting he scored the winner in the last minute. Grambart and Gilbertson are playing 200 foot hockey. Sdrakas is using his speed and becoming more reliable in our end. Getting Denver Maloney back has been huge. Although he is known for his offensive skills, it was his defence and courageous penalty-killing that really stood out. Payton Braun scored in both games. Banks has been a little snake bit around the net but is still getting chances.  I could go on and on. It was just a real character weekend."

The Panthers travel to George Pearkes Arena on Wednesday night and will be back home for a 2:00 pm afternoon start in the back end of the home and home series against the Predators.  And next Friday night they will welcome in the Islanders when the puck will drop at 7:30 pm.