Costain leader of the pack in 3-1 win over Cougars

It seems to happen to a lot of players every single year and this December it caught up to Reece Costain as well.  "December seems to be the toughest month for so many kids," explained Panthers' Owner Pete Zubersky.  "And for Reece it seemed to hit him the hardest.  I thought he did not have focus for several games and the sparkle in his eye was just not there.  But now that we have moved into January and the playoffs being right around the corner, he is looking like the same Reece Costain that we all love to watch.  He can be as dominant as any player in the League when he wants to."

Costain blasted down the left wing with just 1:03 having been played on Friday night at the Panorama Recreation Centre and he when he ripped a high shot past Cougars starter Connor Beauchamp, it confirmed that Costain had come to play.  It also allowed a large boisterous crowd to exercise their lungs just a bit earlier than usual.  Costain had been set up with a pretty pass in the neutral zone from newly acquired Alex Milligan and his tally set off an early party both on the ice and in the stands.  And when Tate Coughlin scored on the powerplay from Zack Smith at the 11:47 mark, a talented Cougars squad seemed to be on their heels just a bit.  The Cougars brass had seen enough of Beauchamp for the night and as he exited stage left, Nathan Hargrave jumped off the bench and took over between the pipes for the visitors.  All good things must come to an end and only three minutes later on a powerplay of their own, it was Blake Roney who managed to tuck one behind Panthers' netminder Stephen Heslop after a big bounce off the end boards.  The two Clubs exchanged several chances however, after the first 20 minutes were in the books the Panthers lead 2-1.

The Panthers talented 17-year-old defenceman Sean Buchanan scored on the powerplay at 18:24 of the 2nd period on assists from Milligan and Connor Logan.  The marker came right after the draw while the Panthers held a two-man advantage and Buchanan made no mistake ripping one past Hargrave.

The Panthers took five minor penalties in the 3rd period and the Victoria Cougars were not whistled for any and this turn of events seemed to give the Cougars life.  Playing on the powerplay for a full ten minutes was not enough help as Heslop held firm between the pipes.  Hargrave was pulled for the extra attacker with just over a minute left in the game and with the Cougars once again on the powerplay, the score did not change when the final buzzer sounded - a 3-1 win and the 11th in a row on home ice for the locals.

"I could not understand how we ended up on the short end of the stick in the 3rd," explained a confused Head Coach Brian Passmore.  "We tried to keep our cool and killed off penalty after penalty but that is the way it goes sometimes.  Maybe next time we play the Cougars we will be the ones on the powerplay - it's just hockey."

Costain, Buchanan and Milligan were named the three stars.  Heslop blocked 26 of 27 shots directed his way including 14 in the 3rd period while Beauchamp and Hargrave combined to stop 22 of 25 attempts.  

The Panthers will host the Saanich Braves next Friday evening at the usual 7:30 pm start time.