The Peninsula Panthers were well on their way to secure their second home win of the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) season Friday, only to surrender five straight goals in losing 6-4 to the Kerry Park Islanders.
The Panthers were leading 4-1 against the visitors less than halfway through the game when Kerry Park started their rally, a rally the hosts fuelled, according to head coach Brad Tippett.
B次元官网网址淲e need to learn how to keep the peddle down no matter what the score is,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he league is too good to make it easier on the opposition. We handed Kerry Park the spark that fueled the enthusiasm that turned the tables.B次元官网网址�
Defensive lapses allowed the Islanders to get back into the game, said Tippett. B次元官网网址淎 brain cramp or three didnB次元官网网址檛 help matters either,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪uddenly it is 4-3. We seemed to get control back early in the third period only to blow a coverage in our end, got a point shot blocked that turned into a breakaway and then got out-battled for a loose puck.B次元官网网址� It all added up to a 6-4 loss.
B次元官网网址淲e gave the game away.B次元官网网址�
This loss came after what was arguably the PanthersB次元官网网址� best game of the season so far, Thursday night in Nanaimo, where they beat the Buccaneers 14-1. They were leading 5-0 after one period and 10-1 after two periods before adding four more goals in the final frame. The Braun brothers B次元官网网址� Riley and Payton B次元官网网址� scored three goals each, with Payton topping his brotherB次元官网网址檚 three assists with a fourth one. Each also picked up two assists in the game against Kerry Park with Riley also scoring a goal.
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While the Braun brothers are leading the Panthers B次元官网网址� Riley leads the league in scoring with 17 points and Payton is tied for third with 14 .
One of the PanthersB次元官网网址� best forecheckers will be out of the lineup for eight weeks as Sterling Lyon suffered a broken wrist.
B次元官网网址淚t was a freak play and he continued on,B次元官网网址� Tippett said. B次元官网网址淗is speed, aggressive forechecking and leadership will be missed.B次元官网网址�
The Panthers wrap up the first month of the season with two wins in regular time, four losses in regular time and one shootout loss. This total places the Panthers in the basement of the standings of the VIJHLB次元官网网址檚 South Division, which is emerging as the better of the two divisions. Three of the six teams in the North Division have just one point each with Campbell River having won six out of seven games. The South Division appears more even with just seven points separating the leading Cougars from the Panthers.
B次元官网网址淲e have been very patient and positive,B次元官网网址� said Tippett, reflecting on the first month of the season. B次元官网网址淲e need to continue to improve and be more consistent.B次元官网网址� But the current grace period, he added, is also approaching an end.
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