Skip to content

Two 2-1 victories keep Peninsula Panthers in penthouse of VIJHL

Victories come as the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League champs deal with a rash of injuries
30728403_web1_221017-PNR-Panthers-Grambart_1
Forward Ryan Grambart celebrates after scoring the tying goal against the Kerry Park Islanders Friday night. The Panthers eventually won 2-1. (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Submitted)

It may not look pretty on the scoreboard but the Peninsula Panthers continue to win tight games in Vancouver Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) action while dealing with injuries along the blue line that impact their forwards.

Tanner Banks scored his eighth goal of the season at 6:37 of the second period for the winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Kerry Park Islanders in front of a home crowd at the Panorama Recreation Centre last Friday. Ryan Grambert had scored his 11th goal of the season deep in the first period to tie the game after the visitors had taken the lead early in the first period. This means fans did not see any scoring for the rest of the game in a tight, defensive contest that saw Brady Kelly pick up the win for the Panthers, stopping 22 out of 23 shots.

Kelly’s twin Mason then picked up the victory on the road against the Port Alberni Bombers on Saturday, as he stopped 21 out of 22 shots. All of that game’s scoring happened in the first period. The Panthers found themselves trailing early, but goals by Tristan Rosenblood and Payton Braun within a span of less than four minutes late in the first period were enough for victory.

The Panthers continue to lead the VIJHL with 22 points thanks to 10 victories and without any losses in regulation. With two games in hand on the Comox Valley Glacier Kings in the overall standings, the Panthers remain the best team in the league, despite being shorthanded among defenders.

RELATED: Peninsula Panthers’ winning streak snapped at eight games

Owner and general manager Pete Zubersky said the team played without five regular defencemen against both Kerry Park and Port Alberni. “What most people do not understand is offence starts from the back end,” he said. “When your defence can get the puck and move it up to the forwards your offence clicks and we have not had that opportunity for some time now.”

Zubersky added that he expects relief in the next two to three weeks. “Right now we are just finding ways to win and that’s all that matters right now,” he said.

The Panthers return to action Friday night with a home date against the Nanaimo Buccaneers, the worst team in the VIJHL points-wise with three. The visitors have also conceded the second-most goals (64) and scored the least (14).

“The crowds have been great on Friday night and they have the building rocking,” said Zubersky. “The young kids are back as well and our guys love that. The support on the Peninsula is clearly the best in the South Division and it seems to be picking up momentum. Again, we just have to continue to find ways to win, that is what championship teams manage to understand and do.”


Do you have a story tip? Email: vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca.

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

wolfgang.depner@peninsulanewsreview.com