NORTH SAANICH — The youthful Peninsula Panthers have had the puck bounce the wrong way during the first weeks of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) regular season.
The locals squad is looking to rack up a couple wins this week in a home-and-home series against the Westshore Wolves. The Panthers travel to the Westshore on Wednesday and will be right back home against the Wolves on Friday evening at 7:30 pm.
The Club has faced adversity in the early going when three of their top players suffered significant injuries. Goaltender Shawn Parkinson was back between the pipes last Friday night in an exciting 3-2 overtime loss against the visiting Kerry Park Islanders. The team awaits the return of veteran forwards Marshall Brown and Trevor Owens, both out until mid-October with broken legs.
Panthers’ Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations Brad Tippett said he believes his group will be turning the tables soon.
The Panthers lost a tight 4-3 game last Thursday in Victoria against the Cougars before bowing to the Islanders last Friday.
The puck drops for the next Panthers home game at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.