The Peninsula Panthers made three big player moves last Thursday and then captured a 3-2 shootout win on Friday night in front of a large crowd at the Panorama Recreation Centre.
Thursday morning, the loss of defenceman Spencer Loverock was the first change as he was scooped by the Salmon Arm Silverbacks of the BCHL, a move which will allow the 17-year-old to move up to the Junior A level and continue his goal of getting an NCAA scholarship.
Defenceman Patrick Croome was moved to the Comox Valley Glacier Kings and forward Cole Golka was sent to the Saanich Braves.
Despite the moves less than 24-hours earlier, the Panthers outshot the Kerry Park Islanders 55-28 during Friday night’s game. The score was tied after regulation time and five minutes of overtime. Will Finlay and Nathan Looysen scored in the shootout while Panthers’ netminder Stephen Heslop stopped all three Islander shooters to give the squad the win. Forward Ben Meek scored both regulation time goals for Peninsula.
“This was a huge win for our club,” said head coach Brian Passmore after Friday’s game. “There will be lots of wins ahead but tonight it was important to move on from the three moves and now we can.”
The Panthers host the Saanich Braves Friday evening and then again next Tuesday night, Jan. 22, in a makeup game that was cancelled Dec. 9. Both games will see the puck drop at 7:30 p.m.