Panthers notch important 6-3 win vs the Buccaneers

Thursday, November 24, 2022
Nanaimo, British Columbia

The Peninsula Panthers knocked off the Nanaimo Buccaneers 6-3 on a warm clear night in Nanaimo. Six different scorers hit the back of the net for the Peninsula Panthers, with singles coming from Payton Braun, Luka Jansen van Rensburg, Ryan Grambart, Ethan Lingard, Kieran Smith and Evan Birks with his first VIJHL goal ever. The Cats dominated from start to finish with netminder Mason Kelly picking up the win.

The Panthers' victory, combined with a 4-2 Victoria Cougars win over the Port Alberni Bombers, set the stage for a 1st Place battle in the South Division Friday night in the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre.  The Panthers trail the Cougars by only a single point and have played two less games as they approach the midway point in the regular season.

General Manager Pete Zubersky had some thoughts on the game and on the upcoming pair of weekend games when approached outside the Nanaimo Ice Centre shortly after the final buzzer had sounded:

"I liked how our guys played tonight and some of the players that don't usually see a lot of ice time, were logging most of the minutes. This was important because we have a big game on Friday night and then a short turnaround as we have to head to Lake Cowichan in the late afternoon on Sunday. We will have to play way better than we did on Thursday when we are back at home on Friday night and I expect a large and boisterous crowd with a playoff atmosphere."

The puck is set to drop at 7:30 p.m. and fans are asked to come just a little early.