PANTHERS DROP THE PUCK ON 2023-2024 SEASON

PORT HOPE, ON – On Saturday night the Port Hope Panthers dropped the puck on their 2023-2024 season at Jack Burger Sports Complex as they hosted the Campbellford Rebels.

The Rebels opened the scoring early at 1:43 of the first period when Captain Aiden Treverton received a pass from Ryan Ellis and fired a shot past Panthers goalie Ethan Reynaud.

It wasn’t until the 8:09 mark of the second period that the Panthers would solve Rebels goaltender Brayden Friedrich as Captain Isaac Langdon, with his puck patience, tied the game. Nate Burelle would get the assist on the play. The tie was short lived. Two and a half minutes later, the Rebels would regain the lead thanks to a one-timer from the slot off the stick of Anton Kolluru. Despite outshooting the Rebels 20-7 in the second, the Panthers would head off the ice trailing 2-1.

Panthers continued to press in the third period, once again out shooting the Rebels 14-4. Noah Richard would find the back of the net, his first in the PJHL, and tie the game at 14:26 on a powerplay goal assisted by Langdon and Tyler McGarvey.

Josh Sainthill was called for cross-checking with 1:20 remaining in the third meaning that the Panthers would head into overtime down a player. After killing off Sainthill’s penalty, Oz Paziuk would head to the box for tripping, another 2-minute kill for the Panthers. Port Hope continued to press. Campbellford’s Brock Kelsh was called for holding but the home team could not capitalize on the powerplay despite controlling the play and several shot attempts. After 7-minutes of overtime, the game ended in a 2-2 tie giving each team one point in the standings.

Prior to puck drop, the team was led onto the ice by Brodick, The Port Hope Piper, who performed for the nearly 300 fans in attendance as well as Northumberland Wild player Zara who performed the flag duties for the evening.

The Panthers also welcomed back recent graduates Kieran Flynn and Captain Drew Calpperton, alongside team owner Chad Stewart, for the ceremonial puck drop and unveiling of the Tod Division Championship banner that will live at Jack Burger.

Catch the Panthers back in action at home this coming Saturday September 23rd as they faceoff against the Amherstview Jets. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 PM.