PANTHERS OPEN PLAYOFFS WITH WIN OVER REBELS

PORT HOPE, ON – Panthers, who finished the season in third place, dropped the puck on Playoffs Wednesday night as they welcomed the Campbellford Rebels to Jack Burger for the mid-week matchup.

The Rebels surprised the Panthers and opened the scoring off a shot from the point at 2:15 of the the first period. Port Hope was quick to respond thanks to Captain Isaac Langdon who found the back of the net just 11 seconds after the opening goal. Nate Burelle and Dailen Fousek assisted on the goal.

Campbellford regained, and extended their lead thanks to a pair of goals off the stick of Kleighton Grove who found a bouncing puck in front of the net to take the lead and then extended it on a short-handed marked.

Port Hope cut the lead in half when Sidney Wakely sprung Spencer Eriksson on a breakaway. Panthers ‘AP’ Pax Murphy also assisted on the play.

Josh Sainthill tied the game at 5:22 of the second and Tyler McGarvey gave Port Hope their first lead of the game with a powerplay goal at 16:02. Connor MacGregor and Dailen Fousek with the assists respectively.

Nate Burelle gave the Panthers some comfort with his third period goal, assisted by linemates Isaac Langdon and Dailen Fousek.

Final Score 5-3.

Brayden Friedrich earned his first playoff win in the PJHL in front of the home town crowd.

Panthers and Rebels return to the ice Saturday night for game two. Puck Drop is set for 7:30 PM.