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Buccaneers visit Panthers

Friday night’s hockey game also honours First Nations youth
31137sidneyPNRPanthersNov.13
Connor Logan works hard to corral a loose puck in a game earlier this season against the Saanich Braves.

The Peninsula Panthers will be put to the test on Friday night when they go head-to-head against the league-leading Nanaimo Buccaneers.

Although the game is expected to draw a large crowd featuring two of the best teams in the VIJHL, the night is also set to feature First Nation Youth Appreciation night.

The Panthers will kick off the two-evening event by attending the Tsawout community tomorrow night (Thursday) to take on a team comprised of First Nation youth in a ball hockey challenge.

Helping out the Panthers on the floor will be members of the Sidney North Saanich RCMP and Central Saanich Police Service in a game that is expected to draw a large gathering, according to Panthers team owner Pete Zubersky.

The First Nation Youth that are in attendance for the ball hockey challenge will be admitted free into the Panthers game on Friday night and Wilson’s Transportation will provide buses to get the youth to and from game.

“This is going to be an awesome night for First Nations kids,” said Zubersky.

“Sometimes First Nations youth don’t always have the opportunity to participate in minor and then junior-level hockey so we want to bring that awareness to them and to the community. The Panthers are all about youth and this fits in well with what we are trying to achieve out here on the Peninsula.”

A ceremonial puck drop by Adam Olsen (leader of the Green Party) is set for 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com