PENINSULA PANTHERS WIN VIJHL TITLE WITH GAME SEVEN OVERTIME VICTORY
Campbell River 2 Peninsula 3 (OT)
First star Jacob Caron’s goal at 5:50 of the first overtime period in game seven to give the Peninsula Panthers the VIJHL Playoff Championship with a 3-2 win over the Campbell River Storm in front of an overflow, standing room only crowd of 825 at the Panorama Leisure Centre.
Campbell River led 1-0 after the first period on a goal by Kai Williams and led 2-0 heading into the third on Koehn Obuck’s tally, but Brendan Williams cut the lead in half early in the third period and Kenyan Price tied the contest with 1:37 remaining in regulation time.
Peninsula netminder Hunter Farrer was named second star with a 21 save effort, while Kaeden Serpa, named the VIJHL’s Top Goalie during the regular season. was sensational in stopping 47 shots in the Storm net. Both goaltenders were outstanding throughout the series.
There were no minor penalties in the final game, with one fight and misconduct to players on both teams for a late first period fight.
It was a fitting end to a fantastic series in the VIJHL’s first season as an independent junior hockey league, with all seven games close hotly contested. Campbell River led the series 3-2 after winning three straight games heading into Wednesday’s game at home, but Peninsula clawed back from a 3-1 deficit to take a 4-3 decision and force game seven.
Peninsula last won the VIJHL playoff crown three seasons ago, and finished in second place in the South Division during this regular season. Campbell River won the North Division with an overtime win in Peninsula during the final game on the schedule.
