Panthers remain undefeated at home with 6-3 win over Comox Valley Glacier Kings

Sean Buchanan will not turn seventeen until November 12th but the big and talented rookie defenceman has already made an impact with the Peninsula Panthers.  Buchanan played Major Midget last season however, this time around decided to make the jump to Junior Hockey and landed with the Club in August.  "We saw him in our Spring Camp in April," said Pete Zubersky.  "Our coaching staff was really high on him and felt that he had a big upside.  He really did nothing offensively last season in Major Midget and I'm not quite sure why.  We have taken the handcuffs off him and asked him to skate with the puck a bit more than he is probably used to and Sean has seen some amazing success."

Buchanan scored a highlight reel goal on Thursday in Victoria when he wheeled in open ice in the neutral zone, split two Cougar Defencemen and then finished the play ripping a shot to the top of the yawning cage.  But it did not stop there.  On Friday against the Comox Valley Glacier Kings Buchanan scored yet again - his 5th tally in only 8 games - and added an assist in the win.  He capped off a great night when he skated out in front of the home crowd when he was announced as the game's 1st Star.

Zubersky had a few more things to say about the youngster.  "I was speaking with a scout from the Kamloops Blazers today and we talked about a number of players, but spent a lot of time discussing Sean.  This kid can be a player.  He has the gift of size which you obviously cannot teach.  He has nice feet for a big man.  He is showing that he has some offensive touch and a nice shot.  At times he makes mistakes and might try to do too much, but I would rather see this than a player with ability who won't take a chance.  Good things are going to happen to Sean in the game - he will start to get noticed and will most likely get a chance to play up for some games in Junior A in the next couple months."

Buchanan and the Panthers played to a 2-2 draw at the end of 20 minutes in Victoria on Thursday, but the wheels fell off in the 2nd frame and they found themselves down 6-2 going into the dressing room.  But the squad regrouped and reeled off three straight goals before the 3rd stanza was 10 minutes old and it was game on.  Penalty problems hit hard late in the period however, with 75 seconds left they received a power play of their own.  Stephen Heslop was pulled for the extra attacker but nothing seemed to click and with just a few seconds remaining in the game, the Cougars managed to gather in the puck in their own zone and send it the length of the ice into the yawning cage.  Leading all Panthers scoring was Spencer Loverock with two goals while Buchanan, Tate Coughlin and Reece Costain added singles.

On Friday night the Club did not look sharp however, took advantage of their chances and walked away with the win.  Six different Panthers scored goals including Buchanan, Zack Smith, Coughlin, Ben Meek, Connor Logan and Grayson Vickers, while Joey Karrer collected the win blocking 26 of 29 shots thrown at the Panthers net.

"I am really trying to stay patient with the kids," explained Head Coach and GM Brian Passmore.  "We gave the Cougars a couple gifts on their first two goals on Thursday and it cost us.  And on Friday I thought we did not look crisp but we got the two points and so that was important.  I would love to see our guys go on a bit of a streak and rattle off some wins in a row.  The League is so even right now, but somebody will start to go on a big run and the teams will begin to separate."

The Panthers are back in action at home next Friday evening when they play host to the Westshore Wolves with the puck set to drop at 7:30 pm.  And on Saturday they will travel up to Kerry Park to play the Islanders who they last saw on opening night. 

Panthers Tracks....the Panthers are trying to finalize a deal with the Saanich Braves from last January 10th when Cole Golka was moved to their crosstown foes....The Panorama Recreation Centre began installing new seating in the arena and the work will be completed this Monday....16-year-old Koby Hale played in both games this past weekend....Connor Logan and Jackson Skerratt still sit 2nd and 3rd in VIJHL scoring....Buchanan has scored 5 goals and added 2 assists in 8 games....Grayson Vickers scored his 1st of the season on Friday night when he deposited a long shot into the empty net with only a few ticks left on the clock....