Monday, August 25th, 2008 Pickering-2 @ Bowmanville-4 Posts and Bad Bounces Cost Pickering... BOWMANVILLE, ON It was an almost entirely different Pickering Panther team, both figuratively and literally, as the Panthers battled to a 4-2 loss with the Bowmanville Eagles. The Panthers dressed a more veteran mixed lineup, after giving rookies and contending players the ice on Thursday... The Panthers found themselves under seige in the opening 20-minutes, mostly thanks to five straight minor penalties being called against. Panther netminder Terrence Reid was strong during the seemingly constant Eagle poerplay, turning aside many tough shots and scoring chances. Bowmanville got on the board while on a two man PP when Chris Bain fired a shot through traffic. Minutes later while still on an extended powerplay, Bain scored again - giving the Eagles a 2-0 lead after 20-minutes. In total the teams racked up 52-minutes in minor penalties alone. The 2nd period saw both teams settle into the standard of play, and flow picked up. At one point seven minutes went by without a call, and the five-on-five play produced a spirited and evenly matched contest. The Panthers best chance thus far came early in the 2nd period when Connor Ste. Marie broke in on a 2-on-1 and fired a shot that beat the Eagles netminder cleanly, but rang off the crossbar. Ste. Marie had another strong game for Pickering, generating chances throughout the contest. Midway through the period the Eagles would get on the board while on the powerplay (Zack Bernardi) to give them a 3-0 lead. The goal came just seconds after Reid made a highlight reel diving stop on a point-blank, cross-crease play from the Eagle attackers. Reid would leave the goal after a strong start to make way for Jared Cowley to play the second half of the contest. The Panthers grew more comfortable as the game went on, and started to press the Eagles during five-on-five play. Again Pickering came within an inch of tying the contest - this time it was Mike Lucifora, snapping off a quick shot from in tight that seemed headed for the back of the net, only to ring off the post. Late in the period, again on the powerplay, the Eagles executed the same cross-crease point-blank play - this time thwarted by Cowley, who dove airbourne across the crease to snag the one-time with his catcher. Late in the period, on the same PP, Brent Mackie would chop home a goal from a scrmable in front. Make it 4-0 after 40-minutes. The score didn't reflect the play, and the Panther players (despite it being only a pre-season contest) seemed determined to right the wrong. In the 3rd the penalty swing went the other way, and Bowmanville was hit with the bulk of the hooking and interference calls. The Panthers PP generated quality possession and scoring chances. Aaron Engelage unloaded several blasts from the point, that Pickering forwards just couldn't find the handle on to tip. Late in the period, Engelage unloaded another blast from the point, this time Ste. Marie was rewarded for the great game he had by calmly converting on the rebound for his 2nd goal in as many games. Make it 4-1 with less than 5-minutes to play. The Panthers jumped to the attack right from the centre ice draw, and three minutes later were rewarded with another mark. This time it was veteran defenceman Nick Lebouthiller wristing a quick release from the point, and forward John Vlahagionakos converting for the goal. Make it 4-2 with 1:53 on the clock. With time winding down, the Panthers would pull Cowley (who shut the door on Bowmanville in the 3rd period, allowing 0-goals, and calmly turning every shot to the corner, or into his glove) for the extra attacker. Veteran forward Gregg Riggs jumped into the play and the Panthers would generate five excellent chances in the games final minute, but couldn't find the net again - it was that kind of night. Make the final Bowmanville-4 @ Pickering-2. The Panthers next action is Wednesday night in Ajax against the Attack - Game time is 7:30pm. The return match is Thursday night in Pickering at 7:30pm. COPYWRIGHT PICKERING PANTHERS JR.A HOCKEY CLUB NEXT GAME Trenton Hercs @ Pickering Panthers SEPT.17th / 7:30pm Pre-Game Stats LAST GAME Lindsay Muskies-3 @ Pickering Panthers-4 BOXSCORE 2007 NCAA COMMITMENTS NCAA DIV.I MICHAEL BANWELL MAINE NCAA DIV.I RICHARD SCHOFIELD LAKE SUPERIOR NCAA DIV.III BRAD FOGAL ADRIAN COLLEGE NCAA DIV.III KEVIN HUININK SALEM STATE NCAA DIV.III MATT RIGTRUP STM PURPLE EAGLES 2007 OHL SIGNINGS JESSES HEBSCHER SUDBURY ZACK FENWICK KINGSTON KAIN ALLICOCK SAGINAW CODY SMITH LONDON