Panthers defuse Chargers in comeback win

Hunter VanVlack takes the puck into the Chargers zone.

Story and photos by Rebecca Juby
PECI’s Panther boy’s hockey team came back to win over the Centennial Chargers 6-3 for their last game before exam break.

The game opened with both teams battling back-and-forth but the Chargers scored within four minutes into the first.

The Panthers were determined to even up the game as the Chargers picked up the pace but Panthers’ goalie Nic McGrayne was stopping all their shots. The Panthers started to get into some trouble by getting a couple penalties and the Chargers scored their second goal with 56 seconds left in the first.

Riley St. Pierre takes the puck around the boards.

The second period started with the Panthers coming back, determined to at least tie this game. The game was back-and-forth for some time before Cole St. Pierre scored the first goal for the Panthers, with assists from Walker DeRoche and Keegan Scott. The Panthers were starting to push hard, determined to tie the score. The Chargers didn’t let up, and as a result, scored with three minutes left in the second.

The third period started out strong for the Panthers as within the first few minutes Nolan Dawson scored with an assist from Scott. A few minutes later, Scott scored with an assist from Hunter VanVlack.

There was no slowing the Panthers as about a minute later VanVlack scored the tie breaking goal with assists from DeRoche and St. Pierre.

The game went back and forth for some time, then the Panthers got into some trouble when they got two penalties close together toward the end of the game. The Chargers saw an opportunity to tie the game and decided to pull the goalie, making the game 6 on 3. The Panthers did a great job fighting off the Chargers and with just over a minute left in the game St. Pierre scored an empty net goal. About 30 seconds later VanVlack solidified the Panthers’ win, scoring the sixth goal with an assist from Alex Brady.

After the break for exams the Panthers next game is set for February 8th versus Saint Theresa’s at 2:30 pm in Belleville.

Nic McGrayne makes a save.

Panthers celebrating a goal.