Cat fight set for Friday for early bragging rights in South Division

September 12, 2022
North Saanich, British Columbia

It was a loud bus ride home on Saturday evening after Payton Braun scored the winner against the Campbell River Storm on the power play with only 19 seconds remaining in the game to lift his Peninsula Panthers to a gritty 3-2 win in a hostile barn. It was a great finish to a pair of weekend wins for the locals after they had dispatched the Westshore Wolves Friday night in the confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre. But as the Iron Lung ambled South on the Island Highway, new Head Coach Chris Driebergen was already thinking about the week which lies ahead for him and his troops. And there were clearly some areas that needed to be addressed and cleaned up before the Cats welcome in the arch-rival Victoria Cougars on Friday night at 7:30 pm.

Parity is the buzzword in the South Division once again this year and after the Cougars handily dispatched of the Kerry Park Islanders on Sunday afternoon at the Archie Browning Arena, just the Panthers and the Cougars remained undefeated in the South. After Friday night there will only be one.

The Panthers, who year after year are one of the least penalized teams, have ran into a slew of penalties in their first two games, a situation that cannot continue if they want continued success on the scoreboard. In the game against the Storm, the Club had 9 minor penalties, basically playing one-third of the game short-handed. The steady parade to the penalty box has to stop and nobody knows this more than Driebergen.

The Bench Boss commented on his first two games in Junior Hockey and on a number of different items surrounding his Club, including the apparent lack of discipline.

"Discipline has been an issue, the players need to find a way to play with intensity but within the rules. Some undisciplined play by our younger guys is not what we are looking for, make no mistake about that."

Driebergen is a 'Players Coach' through and through and turned the conversation to some of the positives which formed the narrative in the two wins.

"Our PK has been fantastic. Unfortunately there were lots of opportunities for players to work on this aspect of our game over the weekend, however effort and execution was stellar. Defenceman Theo St Denis was a menace for us on the backend and shut down any attempt at our net many times."

The Panthers probably have the most unique situation in Junior Hockey in Canada in terms of the tandem between the pipes. Identical 20-year-old twins Brady and Mason Kelly are looking to backstop the squad to another great regular season and playoff run and Driebergen feels most comfortable punching either of their numbers on any given night. He was pleased with their performance and non-stop effort every time the two hit the ice and this effort will only make the Club better.

"Both Kelly's had strong outings this past weekend. Practice habits for Brady and Mason were good this past week and I think that translated to games. Each picked up a win, Brady at home Friday and Mason up in Campbell River. I expect they both can now take a deep breath and really get settled in. It's an amazing story and I am sure that fans will be checking these two stoppers out all season long."

The Club made a move before opening weekend and obtained 19-year-old Kieran Smith from the Kerry Park Islanders. Driebergen was not overly familiar with the defenceman who can play up front in a pinch and discussed his first impression of the recent acquisition.

"My first look and impressions of Kieran Smith were certainly positive. He has had a great attitude since coming in here and was able to fill roles both at forward and defence. That flexibility played a key role in the two wins on Friday and Saturday. I thought he had a strong game up in Campbell River and looked to me like he was a bit more comfortable in a Panthers jersey Saturday."

Driebergen has had ample time with the players and has decided on who would wear the letters and form a major part of the Leadership Team on the Panthers.

"A's' we're handed out to Tanner Banks, Payton Braun and Evan Crawford and of course Matt Seale will wear the 'C'. I believe we now have a strong leadership group. All four of these players are vastly different and each will bring something unique to the table and contribute something different. I undoubtedly will look to lean on these guys as the season progresses."

Panthers tracks.... 16-year-old Seth Fryer is away on a four-game exhibition roadtrip with the WHL's Victoria Royals but he will be back in the Panthers lineup on Friday night against the Cougars.... newcomer Evan Birks was pulled from the lineup on Saturday due to a minor upper body injury... it was a case of being cautious early in the season... Ethan Lingard is questionable for Friday night...