The Saanich Braves are up one game over the Peninsula Panthers, following an overtime loss for the home team Friday night.
At the close of the first frame, the two teams were tied at one, with the Panthers’ Josh Bloomenthal putting one past Braves keeper Tanner McGaw five minutes before the bell.
The Panthers took the lead late in the second period with a goal by Dane Gibson.
Things continued well into the third period, with the Braves’ Sam McMullen scoring first, followed by an answer from Panther David Stephens. But the Braves would nail two more, putting them in the lead as the period wound down. However, on the powerplay, Tyler Porteous snuck another past McGaw just one minute before the final buzzer to leave the two teams even at 4-4, and headed into overtime.
Unfortunately for the home team, the Braves scored a minute into the extra frame, ending in a Braves victory. of 5-4
The Braves have now won two games to the Panthers’ one in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey league semifinals, in a best-of-seven race. The Panthers won the last game, played Wednesday night in Saanich.
The next faceoff for the two teams is Monday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. at Panorama Recreation Centre.
