Panther Boys hockey loses battle with Saint T’s

Administrator | Dec 21, 2017 | Comments 0

Carter Whitteker making a save.

Story and photos by Rebecca Juby
The PECI Panthers boys hockey had a tough battle Wednesday in a 4-2 loss to the Saint Theresa team.

The game started out with the Panthers falling back to a strong Saint T’s offence, coming out hard and fast. Saint T’s was looking to get the first goal of the game, but were shut down by goalie Carter Whitteker’s management of both their shots and rebounds. The Panthers had a few chances in the first period but they finally got their chance when Saint T’s got a penalty. With 22 seconds left in the power play, Nolan Dawson scored the first goal of the game with assists from Nolan Steen and Cole St. Pierre.

Saint T’s was pressured to tie up the game which resulted in another power play for the Panthers who got lucky when the puck went off a skate and into the net. The goal went to Alex Brady with an assist from Andrew Foster. This made Saint T’s push even harder and with a few minutes left in the first, Saint T’s scored their first goal of the game.

With the Panthers up by one, Saint T’s was looking for the tying goal. The Panthers started to fall back, giving the fast Saint Theresa’s team lots of chances. Those chances were shut down by Whitteker who stood on his head making great saves. Playing in their end too much resulted in the Saint Theresa’s goal which tied up the game 2-2.

Going into the third, both goalies stopped the chances the teams got, but the Panthers took a penalty late in the third, which gave Saint T’s the opportunity to score and take the lead. Just when it seemed like all hope was lost Saint T’s got a penalty so the Panthers decided to pull their goalie to have an extra attacker. The Panthers got a few chances to score but Saint T’s was able to put it in the back of the empty net, making the final 4-2.

After the holidays the Panther’s first game is set for Jan. 9th versus Nicholson, in Belleville, at 3pm.