Peninsula 6 Victoria 3
Defending VIJHL Champion Peninsula Panthers jumped out to a 3-1 first period lead and cruised to a 6-3 doubling of the Victoria Cougars in the 2025-26 regular season opener Thursday at Archie Browning Arena.
Clayton Collier, Joe Marranzino, Oskar Aitken-Salmons, Luke Christensen, Carson Harris and Alex Sajan into an empty net along with two assists were the goal scorers for the Panthers, who led 4-2 after two frames.
Tyler Delli-Carri, Joseph Melichar and Grady Sluggett tallied for Victoria, which received a standout 41 save performance from netminder Jesse Pye. Matus Volovar blocked 20 shots for the win in the Panthers cage.
Friday night action will see the Kerry Park Islanders visiting the Saanich Braves, Oceanside Generals at Campbell River Storm, Port Alberni Bombers playing at Lake Cowichan against the Kraken, and Westshore Wolves visiting Peninsula in Sidney.
