Weekend Recap: Robbery at The Hartland Arena

The Western Valley Panthers had a quiet weekend this past weekend with only one game on the schedule against the Hotel Shediac Predators.  The Panthers and Predators have started a rivalry for the ages that began last season in the first round of the NBJHL playoffs. The Panthers were able to sweep the Predators in 4 games that saw nerve-racking overtime finishes. The two teams have meet once since then this season in Shediac where the Panthers were able to come away with a 7 – 4 victory.
 
            Saturday nights game was no different then what was witnessed in last years opening round of playoffs. A fast paced, hard-hitting game that saw little scoring, the game stayed tied at 1 (goal scored by Jacob Clark) until the third period when Kyle Patterson scored on a breakaway to take an early third period lead. The Predators answered right back in the same minute to tie the game at 2 a piece. Both teams fought back and forth to get the go ahead goal. The Panthers even had a goal called off with minutes remaining but nothing could get solved and as for the third game in a row the Panthers were off to extra time.
 
            The 4 on 4 overtime period saw the teams going back and forth much like the original 60 minutes. The Panthers fought hard and kept up solid pressure and again had another goal waved off. The five-minute overtime ended up solving nothing and the Panthers and Predators went to a shoot out. Both teams sent 4 shooters and after both teams had netted a goal each the Panthers had another goal waved off (Although video review later showed the puck in the net and what should have been a good goal). The Predators were able to score and take the victory.
 
            Another solid effort from goaltender Patrick Godreau stopping 42 out of 44 shots he faced.
 
            The Panthers have a busy weekend ahead with three games on the schedule. Thursday, November 20^th,2013 they are in Moncton to face the Vito’s. Friday, November 21^st, 2013 they travel to Tri-County to take on the River Cats. Saturday night they are back at home to take on the Fredericton Caps. Game time is 7:00PM at the Hartland Arena.