For the second Friday in a row, the Peninsula Panthers knocked off a red hot opponent from the Northern Division of the VIJHL, this time chilling out the Comox Valley Glacier Kings by a 4-1 count.
Panther Will Harvey, 17, once again made the start for the local team between the pipes and was up to the task of shutting down a strong, offensively talented squad. Harvey was named the night’s first star after blocking 35 of 36 shots.
“I like Will’s game right now,” said Panthers’ owner Pete Zubersky.
“He is giving us a chance to win every single game. I am asking him to be more vocal on the ice in terms of being his players’ eyes and I am asking him to have less comments off the ice. He is a young kid and I want him to let the older kids be the voice in the room and for him to stop the puck.”
Coming off a win last Friday against the undefeated Campbell River Storm, this year’s group appears to have found that hard work does pay off, Zubersky said.
And although the scoring touch has not yet come around, the work ethic has them now winning hockey games, said the team’s coach, Rob Mortin.
“If we don’t outwork the other team we are in trouble,” said Mortin.
“I believe that right now we work harder than anybody in the VIJHL and that is what we are asking our kids to do. When we outwork the other team, we’ll come out on top almost every time.”
Goals in last Friday night’s game came from Trevor Owens, Mitchell Newman, Brett Carpendale and team captain Reece Costain who landed an empty-netter. Panther Koby Hale also put in a huge effort, said Zubersky, and was named as the game’s second star while Owens was named third star.
The Panthers hope to outwork the Saanich Braves this Friday night at Panorama Recreation Centre.
The game starts at 7:30 p.m.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com
