Panthers and Cougars split weekend home-and-home series

Monday August 29, 2022
North Saanich, British Columbia

The Peninsula Panthers' new Bench Boss Chris Driebergen was given a sneak preview of his lineup that is close to what he will open the Regular Season with at home September 9th against the Westshore Wolves and he was more than just a little bit pleased.  There were glitches which included a number of shifts where his troops stayed on the big white sheet much, much longer that they should have, but with still time to make some adjustments in the final two exhibition games against the Westshore Wolves, the immediate future looks bright.

On Friday in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre, the locals were dominant for the full 60 minutes of play, albeit, it is hard to put a whole lot into the Exhibtion Season.  Payton Braun led all Panthers' marksmen by notching a couple while singles came off the sticks of rookies Malcolm Fletcher, Spencer Cotie and Zach Warren and returning veterans Tanner Banks and Mason McNeill.  Mason Kelly made the start between the pipes after toiling last season in Junior A in Michigan and was solid if not spectacular on a couple of saves.  Keiran Strange scored the lone Cougars goal just over four minutes into the final stanza breaking Kelly's bid for the shutout.  The amiable stopper blocked 17 of 18 shots sent in his direction while the Panthers peppered the visitors netminder Ryan Parker with 53 shots.

On Saturday night, rookie Dane Jensen made his first start between the pipes in Junior action and was collared for the overtime loss.  He made a number of solid saves early in the contest although there were probably two or three goals that he would have liked to have another crack at.  The scoring went back and forth between the two bitter rivals before Strange hit paydirt for his 3rd tally of the night 2:52 into the overtime frame to cap off a come-from-behind win over the Panthers.  Sean Campbell, Ben Coglan and Jackson Estey each lit the light once for the Cougars.  Estey's goal came with under four minutes remaining in the affair.  Scoring for the Panthers was Banks with a couple and singles coming off the sticks of Cotie, Tristan Rosenblood and Ethan Warnes.

"I was pretty happy with the effort and results over the weekend," explained GM Pete Zubersky.  "But I saw lines getting mixed up because some guys refused to come off after 35 or 40 seconds.  And when guys stayed out too long they ended up taking a stupid penalty or we were scored on because they were out of gas.  I like to tell players that they need to take the summer to be greedy.  They should only think about themselves.  But once the group gets together for Camp, it is time to think only about the Team.  Good things will happen if this is what the group believes, if they talk the talk and walk the walk.  It's early and there is always going to be adjustments and this is clearly one we need to make."

Driebergen will be working at making those adjustments this week in practice and on Wednesday night when his Club heads to Westshore to take on the Wolves for a 7:00 pm start.  And then the same teams will be back at the Panorama Recreation Centre this coming Friday night at 7:30 pm for the Cat's final dress rehearsal before the puck drops a week later for the Home Opener.

Panthers Tracks....Luka Jansen van Rensburg has been at Junior A Camps but he will be at practice Tuesday night and will be in the lineup against the Wolves on Wednesday....He will most likely start on the right side on a line centred by Ethan Lingard and big and speedy Spencer Cotie on the left....This line will check in with an average height of 6'2" and 200 lbs., 600 pounds in total....Julian Phillips is heading out on the 1st boat on Tuesday with his Grandfather for Swan Valley, Manitoba where he will take part in the Stampeders Main Camp next weekend....Aleko Sdrakas remains in Weyburn Junior A Camp and is slated to play an exhibition game with them on Wednesday night....Mason Kelly's twin brother Brady, who helped backstop the Panthers to a VIJHL Championship last April, was released by Estevan of the Saskatchewan Junior A League and is waiting to hear about other opportunities in that League over the next serveral days....if nothing surfaces Brady Kelly is expected back on the Peninsula in a week....Ethan Lingard and Seth Fryer will be heading to the Grizzlies and WHL's Victoria Royals Camps this coming weekend.