Last game for Armstrong ends with tough loss to Braves

The evening was just like any other over the past 30 months for Rob Armstrong, the Peninsula Panthers bench boss however this one was anything but the same as countless others.  For Armstrong the night would be most significant as it would prove to be the last time he would be calling the shots for the Club after having accepted a position with the BC Hockey office on Oldfield Road in Central Saanich.  And on Monday morning the cold crisp air of hockey rinks on Vancouver Island will be replaced by computers and pens and meetings and a regular 8:30 - 4:30 routine.  But for at least one more night Armstrong would be cast into the frying pan one last time and as he made the short several minute drive from his home in Deep Cove to the Panorama, he did it with mixed emotions.  While being excited at the new opportunity that awaits him in just four days, he was also closing the final chapter and book on a program that he had played a huge part in turning around over the past year.

There was a small ceremony where Armstrong addressed the Thursday night crowd and there were some kind words for the Head Coach from Panthers' captain Patrick Croome.  But then it was back to the game that has treated Armstrong so well over years and years, and back to the reality that the Panthers were playing one of the VIJHL's top teams in the Saanich Braves.  And in the end the Panthers would fall just short dropping a 4-3 decision in an entertaining affair, but it truly was a game that could have gone to either team and one that Armstrong will keep in his memories for a long time.

Josh McGladery opened the scoring only 2:25 in when he beat Panthers' starter Stephen Heslop.  But less than a minute later Cole Golka, who in the past several weeks has been just about everything to everyone, notched his first of two markers on the night to tie the game.  Justin Polischuck gave the Braves the lead once again at 13:47 but the Panthers replied on the power-play with just over four minutes remaining in the 1st period on what was easily the most spectacular play of the night.  Connor Logan dished the puck to Spencer Loverock as Loverock moved out of his own end and the talented defender exploded through the neutral zone like no other defenceman in the VIJHL can do.  Cole Glover managed to get behind the Braves defence and Loverock hit him with a tape-to-tape pass sending Glover in alone on Braves 20-year-old stopper Tanner McGaw.  Glover made no mistake knotting the game once again sending the teams back to their respective dressing rooms at 2-2.  But the goal had more significance to him than most.  "That felt good.  I had two similar chances in the playoffs in round 2 last season and both times he stoned me," explained Glover. 

The Panthers seem to have a tendency to start games and periods slowly and once again as in the 1st period they were burned when 20-year-old Josh Gray hit paydirt for the Braves with under three minutes having been expired in the 2nd frame.  But Golka had the answer once again at the 17:54 mark.  Hulking rearguard Grayson Vickers moved the puck out of his own end and then Golka took over in the neutral zone.  There was really nothing happening offensively on the play and Golka was alone but he managed to get by the Saanich defence and cut in off the right wall at the faceoff dot to McGaw's left.  With a Braves defender draped all over him, Golka went down in a heep however had the sense of mind to somehow get the puck past a very bewildered McGaw to close out the scoring.

Unexplainably the 3rd period started and ended with an early goal by Braves Captain Ty Jones just 2:25 in when he beat Heslop.  The Panthers had numerous chances to tie the game, perhaps the best when Loverock from the point blasted a slap pass to a open Panthers forward stationed to the right of McGaw.  The puck bounced off the would-be scorers stick and went harmlessly into the corner to the gasps of the faithful crowd in attendance.  With 1:35 left in the game, Heslop was yanked for the extra attacker and the Panthers pulled out all the stops however McGaw was up to the task and he would prevail when the final buzzer sounded.

McGaw blocked 17 of 20 shots the Panthers directed his way while being awarded with the win while Heslop was good on 21 of 25 Braves attempts and was collared with the loss.  Jones, Golka and Gray were named the three stars.

In other VIJHL action, the Victoria Cougars continued to remain hot as they downed the Kerry Park Islanders at Archie Browning by a 5-1 count while up in Nanaimo the Westshore Wolves ended up on top of the Bucs with a 5-4 win coming via the shootout.  The Wolves win coupled with the Panthers loss leaves the two teams in a dead heat for 3rd place in the tough VIJHL South Division with the Panthers holding a game in hand.

As players for both teams filtered off the ice some were happier than others but as Armstrong crossed the white sheet for the last time he knew that his run with the Club had come to an end.  Armstrong addressed the Club but there was not the usual post-game talk.  On this night he took the time to give his best wishes to the players and when he flipped the switch for the last time in the Coaching Office after everyone had left the Panorama Recreation Centre, he was turning the lights off not only for the night but for a great 2 1/2 year ride with the Peninsula Panthers.

The Club will have a busy week as they travel up to Campbell River on Sunday for an afternoon tilt with the Storm before heading over to the Pearkes Arena in Saanich next Wednesday evening when they will once again face the same Braves squad.  The Team will be back at home on next Friday night when they will play host to the Westshore Wolves in a game which will most likely have a playoff atmosphere.

Panthers Tracks....Assistant Coach Brian Passmore was handed the Head Coaching job and he will be joined by Assistant Coach Ben King in running the hockey club moving forward...17-year-old dished out one of the biggest hits of the year when he blasted Brandon Parmar late in the game near the Braves...Parmar took a long time to check out the inventory before leaving the ice but was seen walking out of the arena after the game...Golka is playing his best hockey of the year, easily in the top several players in the VIJHL in terms of skill and talent...the 18-year-old forward started the year slowly but should now start to get a look or two from BCHL squads...Passmore is back in Ontario visiting his family but will be running his first practice as the new bench boss on Tuesday evening and will be behind the bench in Saanich next Wednesday...The Panthers are all about moving players and staff to the next level...Panthers singer Kathleen Burton was recently belting out the National Anthem at the Save-on-Foods Memorial on Tuesday evening when the Victoria Royals hosted the Moose Jaw Warriors in WHL action...Cody Allison dove in front of a shot in the 2nd period on a blast from the point - something that has been notably missing from players on the Club for a long period of time.