The Panthers dropped a three-game series lead in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League opening round of playoffs Monday night at Panorama Recreation Centre.
The Oceanside Generals staved off elimination with a 7-2 win over the Peninsula Panthers Monday, and a 3-1 win Tuesday.
“They played with urgency, and we didn’t,” said Panthers’ owner Pete Zubersky. “Now it’s our turn to play with urgency. Our backs are against the wall as well.”
Monday night Oceanside captain Kyle Yamasaki struck for two goals in the opening period. Joe Densmore scored for the Panthers in the second but Parksville player Nick Bell tweaked the twine three times in just over six minutes to give the Generals a 5-1 lead heading into the final frame.
The Panthers’ Logan Gibson cut the lead to 5-2, but the Generals nailed down the win with goals from Noah Russi and Conor Enright.
In Parksville Tuesday night, Oceanside’s Ryan Coghlan struck late in the first period of a game that wouldn’t see any more scoring until the third frame.
Parksville’s Riel Gibson notched a quick goal to start the third and the Peninsula’s Trevor Yee responded with a powerplay goal. Gibson’s second goal of the night for the Generals came minutes later and proved to be the final goal of the game.
The Panthers lead the series 3-2 heading into Game 6 tonight, March 2 at 7:30 p.m. at Panorama Recreation Centre.
Game 7, if needed, would be at Oceanside on Sunday, March 4 at 2:30 p.m.
Visit panthers.vijhl.com or peninsulanewsreview.com for updates.