The Peninsula Panthers are alive by the slimmest of margins after a 2-1 overtime defeat of the Saanich Braves in a late, 8:30 p.m. start at Pearkes on Wednesday.
The game went scoreless through two periods as both Saanich’s Tanner McGaw and Peninsula’s Stephen Heslop were perfect.
Matt Biagoni scored 13 minutes into the third period to make it 1-0 for the Braves. Peninsula responded shortly thereafter with a goal from former Brave Trevor Yee to tie it up.
Tyler Porteous scored the winner to extend the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League semifinal series to six.
Playing with their backs against the wall is nothing new for the Panthers, who won last year’s VIJHL championship after being down 3-0 in the finals.
Game 6 is Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Panorama Rec. Centre.
The Braves now lead the series 3-2.
The Victoria Cougars await the winner, having defeated the Kerry Park Islanders in the other semifinal.
