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Peninsula Panthers’ season finished after disappointing loss at home

Six players aging out of lineup for next season
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Tanner Banks battles against two Saanich Predators during Game 6 in Vancouver Island Junior League playoff action. Banks is one of six players aging out of the Panthers’ lineup. (Courtesy Christian J. Stewart Photography)

The Peninsula Panthers’ season has come to an end.

The defending Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League champions were eliminated last week by the Saanich Predators in the first round of playoffs. The Panthers came out of the gate strong to start the season but struggled in the second half to put wins on the board while being plagued by injuries.

Friday evening’s 3-0 loss at home in Game 6 brought an end to a season filled with highs and lows.

“We were outclassed on Wednesday night in Game 5 in Saanich but our group was really looking forward to getting back into the win column on Friday,” said head coach and general manager Pete Zubersky. “We came out flying and at one point in the first period, with 5:10 left, we were outshooting the Preds 19-4. But we had nothing to show for it and they led 1-0 after 20 minutes.”

With no one adding to the scoreboard in the second, the Predators took a two-goal lead midway through the third, playing defensively for the final half of the period.

“We pulled our tender in the waning minutes of the game but came out on the wrong end as the Preds scored the empty netter with 1:30 left to salt it away. We did everything but score and really should have had a better result.”

It was the final game for six Panthers who are aging out of the league including twin brothers and the team’s goaltenders, Mason and Brad Kelly, along with Andrew Braun, Tanner Banks, team captain Matt Seale, and Payton Braun.

Zubersky now has his sights set on building a contending team for the 2023-24 season.

READ MORE: Peninsula Panthers


 

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