Story and Photos by Christian J. Stewart
December 8, 2025
North Saanich, BC – The Peninsula Panthers ran their Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) win streak to 15 games after notching four more wins over what has been a busy two-week stretch.
On the November 28th-29th weekend, the Panthers posted back-to-back 2-0 and 3-0 shutouts over the Kerry Park Islanders, and then followed that up with an exciting 3-2 OT win over the Westshore Wolves last Wednesday and a 7-2 win over the Saanich Predators last Friday, the latter three games, all on the road.
The four wins moves the Panther’s league leading record to 24-1-1-0 (49 points) and they maintain a four point lead over the second place Wolves.
In the marquee game of the four last Wednesday, Luke Christensen’s goal at 3:21 of overtime gave the Panthers a 3-2 victory over the Wolves in a battle of the two top teams in the South Division.
The Panthers never trailed in the contest, scoring first in both periods, which ended in 1-1 and 2-2 ties before a scoreless third frame.
Second star Alex Sajan and Kalan Dickie had the other Peninsula goals, and goaltender Matus Volovar stopped 31 shots to earn the win.
The Panthers continue their road trip tomorrow night with a return visit to Mill Bay to take on the Islanders, before returning home Friday night, December 12th for a 7:30pm re-match with the Saanich Predators.
That game marks the first of three home games to finish off the first half-of the season before the Christmas break, as the Panthers will then face the North Division leading Oceanside Generals on Friday December 19th and then then the Port Alberni Bombers on Sunday, December 21st at a special 4:30pm start time.
Regular adult admission for Friday night’s game against Saanich and for all Panther’s games 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.
Panthers defenceman Ben Rowan (16) looks for a way past Saanich defenceman Roman Strom (14) during the Panthers 7-2 win over the Predators last Friday night at Pearkes Arena in Saanich. (Photo: Christian J. Stewart).
