The Peninsula Panthers fought hard but lost to the Nanaimo Buccaneers, 3-6, during their game at Panorama Recreation Centre this past Friday night.
Holding a 2-1 lead after the first period with goals by Connor Logan and Cole Glover, the crowd in attendance had been treated to a good start.
And when veteran Brett Sjerven wired a direct shot to the net early in the second period, all looked good for the local cats who were sitting at 3-2 by the end of the period.
But, the final 20 minutes of play were rough and saw the Bucs score four unanswered tallies, including an empty net goal to dash the hopes of the home faithful.
The Bucs outshot the Panthers 38-33 with American newcomer Jacob Krupp making the start between the pipes (he only arrived the previous Monday to join the Panthers.)
“We were playing a solid game but our discipline in the third period was the cause of our undoing,” said Pete Zubersky, hockey operations manager and the team owner.
“Discipline cost us against the Kerry Park Islanders last weekend and once again it bit us in the butt on Friday. Right now it’s our older players that are sitting in the box when the other team is scoring goals and that is something that we have to address right away if we are to find success.
“I like a whole lot of things we are doing right now, the wins will come when we do the right things. We have the talent to win hockey games.”
The Panthers host the Victoria Cougars on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Panorama Recreation Centre.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com