After an unforgettable game 7 win against the Comox Valley Glacier Kings in the semifinals, the Panthers community has been patiently waiting for our boys to hit the ice again. After 62 games, the Peninsula Panthers are embarking on the final leg of the journey to bring the Brent Patterson Memorial trophy back to Peninsula for the 5th time. The Panthers will take on defending champs, Victoria Cougars, in what will be their fight for their 6th franchise title.
The Cougars finished first in regular season with 73 points, giving them home-ice advantage over second place Panthers. Game one was hosted at Archie Browning Sports Centre last night, kicking off the first of a possible seven-game series.
Game one was a disappointing and eye-opening one for our Panthers. A 7-1 loss left the fans a little less jazzed than the game previous, but left the team with a lot to process going into game two. Among 28 shots, Cougars' goaltender, Connor Beauchamp, allowed only one past him during his 60 minutes on the ice; the lone goal coming from Top Rookie Alex Milligan. The Cougars had 37 shots on net, with Stephen Heslop making 22 saves on 27 shots in 40 minutes and Joey Karrer making 8 on 10 in his 20-minute show. Penalties were scarce and generally uncalled for the majority of the game, until period three, which saw the Panthers take 23 minutes of penalties (totalling 27 minutes for the game) and the Cougars with 19 minutes (game total of 21 minutes). The period resulted in game misconducts to Peninsula’s Des Bast and Victoria’s Jordan Marciniak.
Despite the loss, the Panthers are ready to go, and in no way backing down. “We will do whatever it takes,” says Panthers' Captain Bret Sjerven. “Someone had to win game one, we WILL win game two.”
The Panthers have gone up against the Cougars eight times this season and have come out with an even record of four wins and four losses, two of these losses resulting in OT. The battle between these teams has been an ongoing one, and needless to say, this series will show no retreat from either side. The Cougars have won back-to-back championships the last two years, after taking the trophy from the Panthers who had the same back-to-back wins in 2010 and 2011. Without a doubt, there is a push of redemption adding to the pride match up, which will no doubt provide some real hockey for the fans of the VIJHL.
Game three will see the first Panthers home game, taking place tonight, Friday March 21st at 7:30 pm.
Returning back to Cougar ice for game three Sunday at 6:30 pm, and to the Panthers den Monday March 24th at 7:30 pm for game four.
.jpg)
Email
Print
