Panthers Management discuss officiating last Friday against the Victoria Cougars

Last Friday night the Victoria Cougars arrived at the Panorama Recreation Centre to take on our hockey club.  The Cougars are currently leading the VIJHL in league standings, in fact are starting to run away from the rest of the pack.

I was very much looking forward to playing the Cougars, in fact wish that our Club had the opportunity to play them more often.  The game was a close one and although we trailed 2-1 going into the 3rd period, I thought that we could have just as easily been up by a goal or two after 40 minutes.

As our Head Coach Brian Passmore and I walked back to the bench to start the 3rd period I mentioned to "Passy" that I thought that the officials had done a great job in all five games we had played the Cougars this season, including this game.  Yes there had been missed calls or plays that I thought should have been called, but it cuts both ways and I knew the ice had not once been tilted by officials in five games we had played the Cougars this season.  Passy agreed and in fact said that he has had no problem with any of the games we had played against all opponents this season, and I agreed.

The Cougars came back and scored 4 goals in the 3rd period to coast to a 6-1 win.  Some of the goals I think we would have liked back and in my mind, the score was not an accurate depiction of the 60 minutes but this is hockey.  The Cougars were 1-for-4 on the Power play while we went 1-for-2 and the stripes had absolutely no bearing on the final outcome in the contest. 

The Victoria Cougars are the toast of the VIJHL right now and I am already waiting for the chance to play them again to knock them off, something I believe we have the talent to do.  I have watched every minute of the five games we have played against the Cougars.  I want to make it clear that officials in the five games have called our games fairly and any comments that come from any person or player in our organization to the contrary are simply not correct and we do not condone those opinions and comments.

We have the best Junior "B" League in Canada and we are fortunate to be able to see some of the best teams in the Country at this level play right here in our own backyards.  The Peninsula Panthers wish players, fans, team officials, officials and everyone involved in the VIJHL at any level the best of the Holiday Season. 

The Peninsula Panthers will play our next home game on Friday December 28th at 7:30 pm when we host the visiting Saanich Braves.




Pete Zubersky, Governor
Peninsula Panthers Hockey Club