Panthers prepare for big set of games

February 14, 2023
North Saanich, British Columbia

Roses are everywhere and that is to be expected on February 14th!  And the Peninsula Panthers are looking for a little bit of love as well on Valentine's Day 2023.  The Club has had a bouncy ride for the past couple of months but there is a feeling within their group that it is all about to change.  And this three-game week, which will culminate in a 2:00 pm game Monday afternoon, is hopefully some medicine that the Cats have been missing.

The Panthers venture into the Q Centre in Colwood on Wednesday evening for a date with the Westshore Wolves and then will be back at home Friday night at 7:30 pm when they will host their likely 1st Round Playoff opponent in the Saanich Predators.  And then on Family Day at 2:00 pm, the Campbell River Storm will venture into the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre for the PMHA and Fan Appreciation Game.  Once the game is in the books, 28 specially designed Jerseys will be gifted right off the backs of the Panthers players to PMHA players and fans.  This year the Club has gone retro - back to one of their original jerseys, a look back some 23 years ago.

Panthers General Manager Pete Zubersky likes where his squad is right now and is looking forward to the trio of games dead ahead this week.  "It's been no secret that we have really faced a lot of adversity in terms of players being injured or sick for a protracted period of time," explained Zubersky.  "It's had some real positive benefits though and I believe this will help us when the games really start to matter.  I have always considered the Regular Season as actually a 48-game Exhibition Season if you are able to get into the dance.  When the first song starts playing at the dance you have to be ready and until then it is really preparation.  We have had some young guys step up in the past several weeks and I loved seeing that. We are playing with a lot of heart right now and you cannot win without that.  We are excited."

Monday night, the Club had almost their entire squad out at practice and it was a sight for sore eyes to be sure. Reid Fryer was home preparing for a test on Tuesday while Evan Crawford and Brady Kelly were a bit under the weather and did not skate.  But Captain Matt Seale and power forward Luka Jansen van Rensburg went through the paces as both inch towards rejoining the lineup.  They will do the same this evening and then Zubersky will decide who will be in the lineup on Wednesday.  "At this point I'm sure that Crawford and JVR will be out but Kelly could go if needed.  Seale could also go and I will talk to him after practice this evening.  This scenario does not look good at first blush but trust me, this is as good as it has been for a long, long time.  We are getting there."

The puck will drop Friday night at 7:30 pm and then again on Monday afternoon at 2:00 pm.  All PMHA players wearing their jersey will be admitted at no charge.  Winners in the post-game draw MUST be in attendance to be gifted a 3rd Jersey.