Wednesday, September 12th, 2007 Pickering-4 @ North York-2 PANTHERS OPEN 07-08 WITH WIN... NORTH YORK, ON: The Pickering Panthers, led by new head coach Mark Joslin, kicked off the 2007-2008 season with a 4-2 win, in a competitive match-up with the North York Rangers. New head coach Mark Joslin and the Pickering Panthers were just two days removed from a showcase event at Mercyhurst College in Erie Pennsylvania - but ready and eager to start the new season. The early energy generated pressure from Pickering right off the opening faceoff. Pickering would get on the board early in the 1st period, courtesy a powerplay goal from Greg Riggs, with assists to Kain Allicock & Mike McFarlane. The trio worked the puck down low and out in front from behind the NY goal, Riggs found the puck in the slot, and chopped a quick shot into the open goal. On a side note, the last time Pickering opened the season against North York, Riggs also scored the opening goal, that time 0:24 into the 1st period in the 2005-2006 season. That season Pickering went on to finish with 30-wins, and place 3rd in the South Conference. The NYR would answer Pickering's opening goal with PP marker of their own later in the period. Kevin Willer let go a clapper from the top of the circle that went post-and-in. Make it 1-1 after 20-minutes. Early in the 2nd period the Panthers would grab the lead again. Rookie forward Kain Allicock drove the net hard on a play setup by veteran defenceman Scott Brown. Allicock would find the goal on his 2nd effort for his 1st career Jr.A goal, and give the Panthers a 2-1 lead. The lead would be short-lived again. NY forward Brendan Wise converted a giveaway in the Panthers zone to knot the game at 2-2. Late in the 2nd period, with the Panthers on the powerplay, defenceman Tom Longland fired a perfect pass to Jamie MacQueen who was flying down the wing in the neutral zone. MacQueen would tee-up a clapper from the circle and beat Daniel Stein short-side. Make it 3-2 Panthers after 40-minutes. At this point the teams were basically even in play and even in powerplays, with the Rangers holding a small advantage on the shot clock. Midway through the 3rd, the Panthers would add an insurance marker when Tyler Hauer released a quick wrister that went top-shelf to make it 4-2, and give Pickering some breathing room. As time began to grow short, the Rangers pressed and attacked the Panther goal. Connor Sampson was solid, stopping 34-of-36 shots, including several while the Panthers were down two men (one in the box, and one extra attacker for NY with Stein pulled). Sampson would allow nothing in the final 3rd period frenzy. Make the final 4-2 for Pickering. Pickering now prepares for a weekend home-and-home against the Markham Waxers. Friday night in Markham at 7:30pm. Sunday night in Pickering at 6:30pm for our 2007-2008 home opener. COPYWRIGHT PICKERING PANTHERS JR.A HOCKEY CLUB HOME OPENER MARKHAM WAXERS @ PICKERING PANTHERS SEPT.16TH - 6:30PM 2007 NCAA COMMITMENTS NCAA DIV.I MICHAEL BANWELL MAINE NCAA DIV.I RICHARD SCHOFIELD LAKE SUPERIOR NCAA DIV.I ZACK FENWICK MERCYHURST NCAA DIV.III BRAD FOGAL ADRIAN COLLEGE NCAA DIV.III KEVIN HUININK SALEM STATE 2007 OHL SIGNINGS JESSES HEBSCHER SUDBURY