Panthers run winning streak to 8 in win over the Saanich Predators

January 2, 2022
North Saanich, British Columbia

In an afternoon affair that had just about everything one could imagine, fans of the Peninsula Panthers were buzzing as they left the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre after witnessing their side best the visiting Saanich Predators 10-3 and extend their current winning streak to eight. 

The two Clubs were knotted at 3-3 when at the 6:54 mark of the middle stanza, a group of players chased down the puck which had been shot into the Predators' end.  Panthers speedster Aleko Sdrakas was bearing in on the puck which was close to the end wall and just to the left of Predators starter Andrew Brabender when it appeared he was given a gentle push from behind.  Sdrakas lost his footing and crashed nastily into the end wall and was obviously in significant and immediate pain.  The game was stopped by Referee Jake Podann and after a protracted period of time, Sdrakas was helped off the ice and taken directly to Emergency at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital.  Doctors determined that his shoulder had been dislocated and not fractured and was subsequently popped back into place.  The likeable and charismatic forward was discharged in the early evening.

Podann was in good position and whistled a Saanich Predator for an infraction on Sdrakas and handed out a five-minute major penalty and the accompanying game misconduct.  The next five minutes would prove to be the turning point of the game as the Cats power play clicked for three straight goals to put the game out of reach.  The Predators were awarded a power play of their own once the five-minute major expired, but a strong forecheck by Denver Maloney turned over the puck behind the Predators' net and a nice dish to Tristan Rosenblood ensued.  Rosenblood was all alone just 10 feet out and he made no mistake in beating Brabender and essentially putting the game out of reach.

Head Coach/GM Brad Tippett was in his office after the game and offered up these comments:

"It might sound funny but the 10-3 was not an indication of the game. We had four power plays in the first period. It’s hard to keep players that aren’t on a power play unit into the game. They made it 3-3 in the 2nd period and it was a bit of a seesaw match. The major penalty was obviously the turning point. Both of our power play units produced and we picked up a short-handed goal. It was great for Denver Maloney to get rewarded with the hat trick. He has been playing hard in both ends of the rink, something we have been asking of everyone. It’s a 10-3 game with two minutes left and he gets in the shot lane and blocks the point shot. It’s that type of commitment to do the little things that gives us the opportunity to win every night."

Maloney paced the attack with three markers while VIJHL's leading rookie scorer Payton Braun chipped in with a couple of his own.  Ryan Grambart, Matt Seale, Rosenblood, Riley Braun and Logan Speirs added singles.  Riley Braun added to his League-leading point total which now sits at 92, while Logan Speirs has now put up at least a point in all 38 games the Club has played this 2021/22 season.

All four goaltenders saw action in the contest.  Brabender and  Ryder Frisk stopped 38 of 48 shots and Brabender was tagged for the loss.  Cats goaltenders Brady Kelly and Ashton Lukan each played minutes in the contest and blocked 16 of 19 shots directed their way.  Lukan picked up the win for his efforts as he was the stopper who was between the pipes when the Cats erupted offensively in the middle frame.

The Club will be looking for their 9th straight win on Wednesday at the Q Centre when they travel to Colwood to take on the Westshore Wolves.  And on Friday they will be right back to the confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre with hopes of moving into first place in the South Division when they take on the visiting Victoria Cougars.  The Panthers are a single point behind the Cougars after the win on Sunday, albeit, the Cougars have played three less games on the schedule.  The Cougars will be taking on the visiting Kerry Park Islanders Thursday night.  The game on Friday wil see the puck drop shortly after 7:30 pm. Fans are asked to arrive a bit early.