Panthers edge Bucs 2-1 to Remain Undefeated at Home

17-year-old Austin Singhera toiled last season for the South Island Major Midget Thunderbirds but wanted to follow many of his friends by stepping up into the Junior ranks this season.  Singhera, who played his minor hockey at Saanich, was looking at both the Braves and Panthers programs but the deal was sealed for him to play out on the Peninsula when the Panthers offered to sign him after an exhibition game in Kerry Park.  Singhera is not physically developed however his skill package is what sold the Panthers brass on him and so far the match between player and team has been a perfect fit.

"I love the team atmosphere on the Panthers," explained Singhera.  "We have a great bunch of guys, I expected that when I came out here."

On Friday night at the Panorama Recreation Centre, Singhera and his skill set were on display in a tough 2-1 win over the visiting Nanaimo Buccaneers.  Seemingly getting stronger with each passing game, it is in the defensive end where Singhera has surprised the most.  "I knew the kid was good with the puck," said Pete Zubersky.  "He makes all the right plays, has patience that goes beyond his years, moves the pucks at the right times and can rush it or can jump up with the rush with his skating ability.  But it is his defensive play that has really turned my head.  Austin is commited to keeping the puck out of our net and he is one of those guys that can go into the corner and come out with the puck without messing up his hair."

The Panthers opened the scoring at 6:18 when 16-year-old baby-faced Connor Logan scored his first of the season with helpers from Reece Costain and Dane Gibson.  And only two minutes later "Whistler Will" Finlay got the monkey off his back scoring his first of the season on an unassisted short-handed marker.  Finlay's marker would prove to be the winner.  The Bucs Garrett Dunlop scored on the power play late in the 2nd period but both Panthers netminder Stephen Heslop and Bucs stopper Cameron Large would close the door the rest of the way.

"It was a good win for us," added Singhera.  "We worked hard, a lot harder than we did on Thursday with the Cougars.  I think we have a really good team, especially when we play as hard as we did against Nanaimo."

The Panthers have a tough but interesting set of games next week as they head to Westshore to take on the Wolves on Wednesday and are back at the Panorama on Friday night against the League-leading Victoria Cougars.

Panthers tracks....Heslop blocked 28 or 29 shots directed his way while Large stopped 28 of 30 Panthers attempts....there was an interesting and humorous exchange between the two with the Panthers clinging to the lead and killing a penalty with under two minutes left in the game....the Bucs dumped the puck into the Panthers zone several times and each time Heslop beat everyone to the puck and iced it....after the third time, Large snapped up the puck which had just been shot down the ice by the Panthers target and he attempted to make a long pass to a Bucs forward at the Panthers blueline....the puck missed everyone and the Bucs were called for icing....Heslop was named the 1st star and was full value for the selection playing his best game of the year....Large was 2nd star while Finlay was named 3rd star....Panthers remain undefeated on home ice moving to a perfect 4-0 record....Cody Allison skated miles in the game....the Club took too many penalties and were fortunate to only have allowed one powerplay goal....for some comments on Thursday's loss at the hands of the Victoria Cougars check out the "Hockey Operations" section of the website....a big crowd is expected for next Friday night against the Victoria Cougars when the Panthers will look to extend their win streak to five games at home...