Panthers given 4-0 haircut by the Cougars

There was a buzz in the air as fans began to filter into the Panorama Recreation Centre 30 minutes prior to the 7:30 game time.  A slow stream of people quickly turned into a deep lineup and most of the loyal locals were still discussing the same two clubs going into Double Overtime two weeks earlier.  But although the game went up and down and there seemed little to choose between the two teams, it was the Victoria Cougars who finished on their chances while a Panthers squad simply did not.  And the script was written after 60 minutes were in the books and it clearly said Cougars 4 and Panthers Zip.

The Halloween Ghosts and Goblins might have been out a bit early and they may have cast their spell on the local Cats.  And they did not waste any time laying down the hex.  Panthers netminder Stephen Heslop gathered in a puck only 14 seconds into the game and after wristing it a bit too high and into the stands, he was called for a delay of game penalty.  A determined Victoria Cougars Club were like the Ghosts and Goblins, they too did not waste any time.  Talented defenceman Robert Zadra walked in from the point and wristed a shot over a sprawled Heslop 26 seconds into the Power Play putting the Panthers in an early hole.  The game settled down and went back and forth and although the Panthers would outshoot the Cougars 11-9 at the end of 20 minutes, they would trail 1-0 going into the break.

Blake Roney and Michael Fretz scored early in the 2nd period but the 3-0 score was not indicative of the play.  The difference in the two clubs on the night was pretty easy to see, the Cougars finished on their chances and the Panthers did not. 

In the 3rd frame in would be Roney with his second tally of the night at the 10:42 mark that would drive the nail in the coffin, giving the visitors a 4-0 lead.  

The Cougars threw 26 shots at Heslop on the night while Cougars stopper Connor Beauchamp who was selected as the 3rd star of the game was perfect on the evening blocking all 21 shots directed his way.  Roney was named the game's 1st star.

Perhaps the bright spot for the home squad was newcomer and 20-year-old Defenceman Matthew Sheeran.  Sheeran had spent the last two seasons in North Battleford in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and although he has not seen much action in the last several weeks, he did not look out of place.  Head Coach and General Manager Brian Passmore was outwardly disappointed with the results and reminded himself that he has to be patient but loved the latest addition to his squad.  "Matthew makes us a lot better, no doubt about that.  He has nice size at 6'4" and 200 lbs. and it was clear that his game is much more mature than several of our younger guys back there.  He is really going to help us out, no doubt about that at all."

Sheeran had been back in Victoria for a week and spoke with Pete Zubersky earlier in the day and after a lot of calls throughout the afternoon he was cleared to play in the game.  "Matthew seems like an awesome young man.  I loved his game although I am betting that he feels he could have done more.  All good players feel like that and he is a good one, a really good one.  I want to help this young fellow get AP'ed with a Junior A club close to us and get him going.  I'll be speaking with the Grizzlies and get them out to see the kid play, I know they will like him.  We have six of our kids AP'ed right now and there are several others that we are promoting to teams.  But for now all these guys should be thinking about is playing hard for this team night in and night out.  It is going to come together, we believe in patience and we believe that this trait will allow our kids to develop.  We have a really big and talented squad and at some point we will put together a long string of wins and feel good about ourselves."

The Panthers are hoping to get back into the win column tomorrow night when they travel up Island to take on the Kerry Park Islanders.  Heslop and Defenceman Sean Buchanan will be in Powell River up with the Victoria Grizzlies and will miss the Islanders game.  Passmore will be calling up 16-year-old goaltender Joe Barton who is playing on the Racquet Club Midget AAA Club and is also considering calling up an affiliate forward as well. 

Panthers are back at home next Friday when they will host the Oceanside Generals, the puck is set to drop at 7:30 pm.