Sunday, September 14th, 2008 Lindsay-3 @ Pickering-4 Panthers Beat Previously Undefeated Muskies in Home Opener... PICKERING, ON: The Pickering Panthers opened their 2008-2009 home season in style, topping the previously undefeated Lindsay Muskies 4-3 at the Pickering Recreation Complex Sunday night. Rugged defenceman Paul Jackiw scored the game-winning-goal midway through the 3rd period on the power play, while rookie netminder Jared Cowley turned aside 21-shots for his 1st Jr.A win, in his Jr.A debut. The night didn't start out well for Pickering, the Muskies built a 2-0 lead with 2-goals in 35-seconds during the 1st period. Andrew Love and Kevin George gave Lindsay the lead on a tip in and breakaway goal respectively. The Panthers answered just over four minutes later, when Aaron Engelage unloaded a howitzer from the point that beat Zac Michael by the blocker. 2-1 Muskies after 20-minutes. The 2nd period saw Pickering settle down, and preform well in front of a solid opening night crowd. John Vlahogiannakos had the first Pickering chance to tie the contest, when he was hooked from behind on a partial breakaway. On the ensuing powerplay, Nick LeBouthillier fired a quick release point shot off the post, as the Panthers battled for the tying goal. The scored remains 2-1 after 40-minutes with the Panthers building momentum, and the crowd becoming more and more vocal and into the contest. The 3rd period started on a positive note for Pickering, as their dicipline and cool heads gave them a 5-on-3 powerplay. With the two man advantage, the Panthers worked the puck around until Andrew Fairney lit the lamp and drew the Panthers even. The atmosphere in the PRC was up as the fans were drawn into the highly competitive contest. Pickering had battled back from 2-0 down to draw even, until what seemed like disaster struck. Just over two minutes after drawing even, the Muskies jumped ahead without even registering a shot on goal. After Cowley made a solid save, a Pickering clearing attempt rattled off a Panther forward's shinpads and into the Pickering net. With 13:20 on the clock, the score was 3-2 Lindsay. The young Panther squad didn't fold or quit. Persistent forechecking and solid positional play drew two Muskies penalties, and opened the door for Pickering to attack - and just as the Muskies did in the 1st period, Pickering did in the 3rd with two goals in less than a minute. First it was rookie forward Connor Ste. Marie converting on a pretty passing play to draw even at 3-3, the crowd erupted. And with the PRC still buzzing from the game tying goal, Paul Jackiw tee'd up and fired home the go-ahead-goal with 8:20 to play in the 3rd. In a matter of 51-seconds the game shifted. Pickering was no longer on the attack, they held the lead - and were determined to keep it. Cowley would make several solid saves, Nick Certo killed time off the clock holding the puck and keeping it in Pickering's possession, and the team as a whole battled and held on for the 4-3 win. There's no rest for the Panthers, as they have 3-games in the next 5-games: Wednesday in Pickering vs Trenton @ 7:30pm Friday in Pickering vs Kingston @ 7:30pm Saturday in Bowmanville vs Brampton @ 2:30pm (College Showcase League Game) COPYWRIGHT PICKERING PANTHERS JR.A HOCKEY CLUB NEXT GAME Kingston Voyageurs @ Pickering Panthers SEPT.19th / 7:30pm Pre-Game Stats LAST GAME Trenton Hercs-5 @ Pickering Panthers-0 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