The Peninsula Panthers are a single point from kicking in the door to the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League playoffs – but Kraken stand in their way.
Two one-goal Panthers’ losses on the weekend, coupled with the Lake Cowichan Kraken gaining a split in their pair of games leaves marbles on the table when the clubs go head-to-head Friday.
The Panthers were at the Archie Browning Arena Feb. 9 and in a game that might just be a preview of a first round matchup between the Victoria Cougars and the Panthers, there was clearly no love lost between the two feline foes.
After 60 minutes the Cougars prevailed 3-2, courtesy of a late third period power play goal. But as fans filtered out to the parking lot, nobody was talking about the score.
With only five seconds remaining in the second stanza, a brawl broke out to the extent that has not been seen in the league for quite a number of years.
A number of penalty minutes and player ejections followed but it had fans on both sides salivating about what a first round seven-game playoff series between the two might look like.
If the season were to end today, the Cougars and Panthers would lock up in the first round.
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“We have never been fond of the Victoria Cougars and these feelings have lasted for over 20 years,” Panthers owner Pete Zubersky said. “It makes for some great hockey for both the players and the fans. Our rookies got a real taste of the rivalry Friday night and if we end up going against them when the post season begins, we will be ready to go. Nobody was hurt as a result of the melee but it has added a lot of juice should the two teams meet in a couple weeks.”
The next night, the Panthers hosted the red-hot Saanich Predators and once again the game went right down to the final seconds keeping a solid crowd on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.
The Cats came out on the short end 4-3, but once again the action was intense.
Although Zubersky had a lot of positive comments about how his club is performing right now and believes that they are on the verge of doing something special, he clearly was looking forward to this Friday.
“The Kraken are going to come in here and give us everything they have,” said Zubersky. “And we will be looking to drive a stake into the heart of their playoff aspirations. It is sudden-death for them and we will see their best.”
The puck drops at 7:30 p.m. at Panorama Rec. in North Saanich.
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