Panthers manage point in shootout loss despite depleted lineup

Saturday, December 16, 2022
Panorama Recreation Centre
North Saanich, British Columbia

It was a busy week for the Peninsula Panthers. In addition to their practice schedule, the Club moved trees and shrubs from a local nursery in preparation for the Winter Wonderland setup over the Christmas Break in the A Rink at the Panorama Recreation Centre.  And then on Friday night after trailing 1-0 to the Westshore Wolves after 40 minutes, the roof caved in and the Club was hammered 5-0.  It did not look good as the Saanich Predators invaded the friendly confines of the Panorama Recreation Centre for a rare Saturday evening affair with six key regulars out of the lineup due to injuries and other commitments including defencemen Reid Fryer, Robson Scott and Risto Ringma and forwards Ethan Lingard, Luka Jansen van Rensburg and Malcolm Fletcher.  The task for the evening looked daunting.

The evening started off with a number of glitches including the large screen at the North end of the barn not in working order.  There were other issues however when 8-year-old Logan Hipwell arrived with his parents and his gear in tow, the evening took on a brighter light.  Logan's father Mike was a 16-year-old on a Panthers team the year Pete and Coreen Zubersky purchased and took control of the Club back in 1999. Mike's dad D'arcy was a business partner with the Zubersky's for six weeks but Mike unfortunately came down with mononucleosis and it ended his Junior Hockey Career. D'arcy relinquished his interest in the Club but has been a sponsor ever since for the last 24 years. And now Logan's presence as the Ammolite Technology Player of the Week continued the Hipwell family name's association with the Team.

A sparse Christmas crowd filtered into the Arena, obviously many at parties sprinkled around the season.  But those who did come out were treated to a highly entertaining affair which was ultimately decided in a shootout after regulation and a five-minute 3-on-3 overtime period could not determine a winner.  Scoring in regulation for the Panthers were Rowan Cairns and Ryan Grambart and both collected an assist as well.  Linemate Carson Harris seemed to ignite the line and added two helpers on the night due to his non-stop hustle and effort.  Replying for the Predators were Kyle Erickson and Jack Westhaver.  The Predators drew first blood in the shootout on a marker off the stick of Ty Barrie and in three attempts, the Panthers were unable to respond.  Tanner Ferrill was outstanding during the contest and blocked 31 of 33 shots however was tagged with a loss for his efforts. Predators netminder Jayden Vanderlee scooped up the win stopping 24 of 26 Panthers attempts.

The Cats are back in action on the road Thursday night at the Archie Browning against the Victoria Cougars and then travel to Campbell River to take on the Storm Friday night.  They will then begin their Christmas break returning on the road once again at the Q Centre in Colwood against the Wolves on January 3, 2024.  The Club will be back home Friday, January 5th when they welcome in the Cougars for a 7:30 pm start.