Panthers open VIJHL Final Series with a heart-pounding 2-1 win over the Generals

Wednesday March 23, 2022
Oceanside, British Columbia

Heading into the final 20 minutes of the opening game of the VIJHL Final series against the home side Oceanside Generals, the visiting Peninsula Panthers found themselves on the wrong side of a 1-0 Generals lead.  Generals' talented forward Carter Johnson had scored the contest's only marker at 14:04 of the 2nd period and it had held up when the Clubs were set for the final frame of regulation time.  But goals coming off the sticks of Panthers Tanner Banks at the 6:04 mark and the eventual winner off the VIJHL MVP Riley Braun at the 16:37 mark while on the power play, were all that was needed for a Cats win.  The Generals pulled goaltender Ashton Sadauskas for the extra attacker and although there were a couple last second scoring chances, Panthers' netminder Brady Kelly was up to the task to cement the win.  

Both Goaltenders were outstanding throughout the game with Sadauskas being the busier of the two in making 38 of 40 shots directed his way.  Kelly was a bit better but faced less rubber stopping 30 of 31 attempts.

Banks and Johnson were named the Players of the Game for their respective squads.

"We came into the game tonight really unsure of who we would be facing," explained Panthers GM Pete Zubersky.  "We played them back on December 18th right before the Christmas Break and not since, and there has been a lot of water go under the bridge since that time.  And when we played them, they had a couple key defencemen out of their lineup and that factored into the way that particular game played out.  Tonight we had to come from behind and managed to do that for the win.  Friday night looks like an important game, all of them are at this point.  There were 900 fans in Oceanside tonight and I would expect that we will get some great support on Friday night at the Panorama."

Zubersky received a lengthy text message as the bus rolled into the parking lot up in Oceanside a couple hours prior to the game.  It was from North Saanich Mayor Geoff Orr and Zubersky read the text to the Club while still on the bus.  "Geoff is a good fellow and does a great job for the people of North Saanich," quipped the GM.  "I think he will be out for the game on Friday and he indicated in his text that he was going to try and get the Mayors out from Central Saanich and Sidney.  Our guys had nothing but smiles when I was reading out the text.  People on the South Island are really following this series and we absolutely love the support."

The puck will drop Friday at 7:30 pm and perhaps the largest crowd of the year is expected.  Warmups are at 7:00 pm and the Panthers management are asking fans to get to the game early to ensure entry into the rink in a timely manner.  This one will be a barn-burner.