Monday, September 24th, 2007 WEEKEND WRAP TOUGH STRETCH OVER... The Pickering Panthers finished off the busiest part of their 2007-2008 schedule, finishing 4-games in 5-nights – capping off with 3-in-3 on the weekend. PICKERING, ON: The Panthers and Toronto Jr. Canadiens met for the 1st time since their historic seven game playoff series last season. The opening frame saw Kyle Ventura and Derek Patskou score for Toronto, Breandan Hann (1st of the season) for Pickering to make it 2-1 TJC after 20-minutes. In the 2nd Patskou scored his 2nd of the game to make it 3-1 for Toronto – that goal was answered by Mike McFarlane (1st of the year) to cut the lead to 3-2. In the 3rd Toronto regained their 2-goal lead thanks to Kelly Jackson. The Canadiens settled into a defensive system. As Pickering pressed newcomer Tom Longland fired a point shot that went bar and in shortside (2nd of the year). Pickering regrouped and prepared for a final attack. With Ben Calma on the bench, the Panthers set up one final play off the faceoff, but couldn’t find the net. Make the final 4-3 Toronto. MISSISSAUGA, ON: The Governors Showcase saw the Panthers play a tough Kingston squad from the Eastern Conference. The matchup would be a good test for the young Panther team facing an older, bigger, physical team. In the opening two periods Sean McAllister and Panther veteran Greg Payne traded goals to make it 1-1 after 40-minutes. The young Panthers battled and competed with the Vees in a physical and entertaining matchup. In the 3rd however, penalty trouble. Kingston would score three straight powerplay goals in under 10-minutes to build a 4-1 lead. With under 10-minutes to play, and down by three the Panthers turned on the offensive pressure. Greg Riggs scored with just under 4-minutes to go (2nd of the year) to cut the lead to 2-goals. But that was as close as they would come. The Panthers outshot the Vees in the final frame (despite the official pointstreak numbers), but the Kingston defence was solid eliminating second chances, and took the win 4-2. TORONTO, ON: In the finale of the 3-games-in-3-nights the Panthers and Jr.Canadiens finished the 2nd half of their broken home-and-home series. A tired and road weary squad, Pickering battled but had little in the tank. Three goals in the 1st period, followed by two in the 2nd chased Connor Sampson from the Pickering goal. Jamie MacQueen scored the lone Pickering goal in the 1st period. Make it 5-1 Toronto midway through the 2nd period. Down 4-goals, playing in their 4th game in 5-days, Pickering had every ingredient and excuse to quit… They didn’t. MacQueen and Greg Payne (3rd of the season) both scored to finish off the 2nd period. Make it 5-3 after 40-minutes. The 3rd period saw the two-teams sit through a lengthy delay. A large and deep crack in the ice forced referee Rob Palm to halt the game until it was properly fixed. The rink crew in Toronto flash-froze the ice and ran the zamboni over the area a few times to fix the problem – the game was back on. After the delay the Canadiens came out with a little extra jump. Daniel Erlich scored as Pickering couldn’t clear the zone. Make it 6-3 Toronto. That goal was answered by MacQueen – completing the hat trick – to make it 6-4. But that would be as close as they would come. Pressing for late goals opened up the ice, Toronto added two, make the final 8-4. The Panthers next matchup is Friday night, at home, against the Durham Fury. COPYWRIGHT PICKERING PANTHERS JR.A HOCKEY CLUB NEXT HOME GAME DURHAM FURY @ PICKERING PANTHERS FRI.SEPT.28th 7:30PM 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