Robson Scott leads Panthers to a 5-1 win notching his first ever VIJHL goal in the process

September 18, 2022
Lake Cowichan, British Columbia

The Peninsula Panthers racked up their 4th straight win to open the current VIJHL campaign as they completed a workmanlike effort in a 5-1 win up in Lake Cowichan Sunday evening against the Kraken.  Tanner Banks lead all scorers with two markers for the Cats while Luka Jansen van Rensburg, Payton Braun and Robson Scott added singles.  Dallas Brown was the lone marksman for the Kraken.  Banks and Brown were selected as players of the game.

Mason Kelly made the start for the Panthers between the pipes and he blocked 23 of 24 the Kraken sent flying his way and he notched a win in his belt buckle for the efforts.  Kraken stopper Brendan Wilson blocked 28 of 33 shots and was tagged for the loss.

Panthers General Manager Pete Zubersky had some thoughts after the Panthers 4th game was in the books.  

“With a 4-2 win over the Cougars in our barn Friday night and a workmanlike 5-1 win up in Lake Cowichan against the Kraken on Sunday evening, we have moved our record to a perfect 4-0 to start the season.  Although we have really done some good things there is so much more we need to get done to be a complete team.
 
On Friday night, the Cougars had five power-plays while we only had one opportunity.  This has been an ongoing issue this season and Head Coach Chris Driebergen is trying to get it turned around.  Going into Sunday’s game we had been on the penalty kill 21 times in three games and that is not a winning formula.  But we were a perfect 21 for 21 on the PK.  We started slowly on Friday and going into the 3^rd period there was no score.  The Cougars scored first and it seemed to wake us up and we responded with four goals in a seven-minute span, and that was the game.
 
On Sunday we had six more penalties and the Kraken scored on a 5-on-3 advantage after a trip and an undisciplined roughing penalty after the whistle.  But I thought our guys had a really strong game and the score told the tale.  The bright spot is our penalty killers are clicking at north of 96% efficiency.
 
Twin brothers Brady and Mason Kelly have been outstanding in goal in the early going.  Each has played two games and each has two wins to show for their efforts.  These guys love each other and are pulling for each other but at the same time both are competitive and want to be the best.  It has created an incredible situation between the pipes, something you may never see again.  In my mind it is the most unique story at the goaltending position in Junior Hockey in British Columbia.
 
We have a really tough two-game Home Stand this coming weekend with the Oceanside Generals in on Friday night and then a unique 2:00 pm game on Saturday when we host the Campbell River Storm.  In my mind there are three top-end teams in the North Division and these two coming to the Panorama are right up there in that group.  We will need a really special effort this weekend, no doubt about it.  We will need to start fast and maintain this effort for 60 minutes both on Friday and Saturday.  This weekend will be a great measuring stick as to where we are as a Club right now.”

Panthers Tracks...Friday night's game at the Panorama Recreation Centre will feature the two Clubs who went toe-to-toe late last March and early April in the VIJHL Championship series...the puck drops at 7:30 pm...On Saturday the Cats will be right back in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre when they host the Campbell River Storm in an early afternoon game...the puck drops at 2:00 pm...the early start will allow for the younger fans to get out and watch the game...the weekend will prove to be a litmus test for the Panthers as both the Generals and Storm are considered to be in the upper echelon of the League...Panthers mascot 'Percy' has been making his rounds at the games...