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Panthers host Cougars, car giveaway this week

Next home game will see lucky family walk away winners of new vehicle thanks to Superior Collision
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Panthers no. 11 Joe Stafford-Veale battles with Campbell River Storm players for a loose puck last Friday in VIJHL action. (Gordon Lee photography)

The Peninsula Panthers will be looking to win the battle of the Cats this Friday night where they will take on the Victoria Cougars, hoping to get back into the win column after last weekend.

The Club was knocked off by the visiting Campbell River Storm last Friday night by a count of 2-0 and were then bounced 5-3 in Comox the following night by a determined group of Glacier Kings.

Lighting the lamp for the Panthers up in Comox were Jack McMillan, Josh Lingard, and Tanner Wort but it would prove to be not enough on the evening. The Panthers outshot the Glacier Kings 40-20 however, goaltender Chris Akerman struggled early and often and was eventually replaced between the pipes by Connor McKillop.

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Coach Brad Tippett seemed more upset about the loss on Friday night, albeit, the score was 1-0 with under two minutes remaining in the game before the Storm were able to beat McKillop with the insurance marker.

“If you just looked at the standings, you would have thought we played well against CR and poorly against Comox but the opposite was true,” Tippet said. “We had more passengers than players on Friday.”

On Saturday, he thought the team played “very engaged” and dominated the play, but each time an errant pass or missed check surfaced, it resulted in a goal against.

“We continue to struggle with transferring scoring in practice to scoring in the game,” he explained. “We need more than one or two forwards who are willing to battle in the tough areas. It is rare to beat goaltenders at this level with shots they can see.”

The Panthers are eager to take it out on the Cougars on Friday however, the evening will see another highlight and one in which the community on the Peninsula will take front and centre.

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Rob and Allison Peters, co-owners and operators of Superior Collision in Sidney, have teamed up with other companies and one happy family will be the big winner immediately after the first period during the intermission.

Superior Collision has secured a vehicle, completed body and mechanical work, secured insurance for a year as well as other items from various sponsors and this vehicle will be given to a family in need on Friday right at centre ice.

The presentation will feature a video and some words from Allison Peters and others, followed by the presentation of the vehicle.

Panthers’ general manager Pete Zubersky said the organization fortunate to be able to contribute to the endeavour, calling the community on the Peninsula “outstanding.”

“Friday will be very special,” he said. “It is coming just 25 days before Christmas and I am sure it will dramatically change the life of the selected family.”

The Panthers will play the Cougars Nov. 30 when the puck drops at 7:30 pm. at the Panorama Recreation Centre.


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