The official team site of the Peninsula Panthers, proud members of the VIJHL, an independent junior hockey league associated with the BCHL

Panthers’ offence waking up as playoffs near

Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart

February 10, 2025, North Saanich, BC – With three wins in their past five games, the Peninsula Panthers seem to be emerging from their post-Christmas slump as they head into the home stretch of the 2025 season.

The Panthers dropped a 6-2 decision to the first place Kerry Park Islanders last Friday night at Panorama Recreation Centre, but then rebounded for a big 3-2 win on the road in Port Alberni on Saturday night.

That win, combined with a 4-3 win over Oceanside last Wednesday, kept the Panthers locked into the second seed in the South, five points back of Kerry Park, and apparently headed to a first-round playoff match-up with the third place Westshore Wolves.

The Wolves, who were struggling and who were in danger of being caught for third by the Victoria Cougars, pulled off a win Friday against Saanich and thanks to a surprising Cougars loss in Oceanside on Saturday, have now extended their lead over the Cougars to six points.

While anything can still happen, with just five games remaining in the season for both the Cougars and Wolves, those six points may be difficult to overcome, leaving the Wolves and Panthers and then the Islanders and Cougars, the likely first-round playoff opponents.

There is also still an outside chance that the Panthers could catch Kerry Park for first, but it would likely mean that the Panthers would need to win all four of their remaining games and then hope the red-hot Islanders, who thumped Nanaimo Saturday night 11-3, falter down the stretch.

The Panthers begin the final games of the season this Thursday when they travel to Esquimalt for a game against the Cougars, where they hope to avenge an 8-3 loss suffered on February 1.

They then come home to Panorama on Friday the 14th, Valentines Day, to host the Comox Valley Glacier Kings. This special Valentines Game is sponsored by the North Saanich Canadian Tire, and will feature additional program prizes and live music by local talent Chase Varnes!

Following the game the 2024-25 Peninsula Panthers Player Awards Ceremony will take place – this year on ice! Fans are encouraged to stay seated and cheer on their 2024-25 Peninsula Panthers.

In the final week of the season, the Panthers will travel to Saanich for a game against the Predators and then wrap things up at home on Saturday, February 22 against Campbell River.

At that game on the 22nd, fans will get a first look at the Panthers’ new uniforms for the 2025-2026 season and fans will have a chance to win a new-look jersey off the players back at the end of that game.

Game time at Panorama Recreation centre for both the game this Friday the 14th, as well as the game on the 22nd is 7:30pm.  Regular Adult Admission is $12 ,$9 for youth (ages 13-18), and $2 for kids 12 and under.  Also, for every kid’s ticket sold, the Murphy Family Foundation will donate $1.00US to the Peninsula Minor Hockey Association.

Peninsula Panther forward Ethan Lingard (8, right) battles with Kerry Park Islanders defenceman Matson Waring (88, left) during their VIJHL game Friday night at Panorama Recreation Centre in North Saanich.  The Islanders would come away with a 6-2 victory (Photo: Christian J. Stewart)