The losing streak came to a screeching halt tonight as the Panthers found their scoring touch, even while missing three of their regular forwards. Pickering jumped out to a 2-0 lead in this one, which seemed to put some jump in their game as they kept adding to the total. The Panthers’ defense led the way as Cole Bowditch (assisted by Colangelo and Dunning) and Darren Wilson (assisted by Cadorin and Crngarov) scored in the first period, with Wilson’s goal coming on the power play.
Andre Mondoux added to the lead early in the second period, with assists from Stewart and Zhang. Charlie Key then broke a six-game scoreless streak, scoring twice in quick succession. His first goal was assisted by Binnie and Michelone, while the second was set up by Binnie and Stewart, giving Pickering a commanding 5-0 lead at the second intermission.
In the third period, Blake Wright finally ended a 13-game scoreless streak by scoring on the power play, with Bowditch and Ethier picking up the assists, making it 6-0.
Ian Michelone stymied St. Michaels time and time again, as he has done against many teams lately. Unfortunately, Pickering took their foot off the gas late in the third, allowing the Buzzers to score twice at 14:17 (D’Alessio, assisted by Godard and Ferraro) and 16:09 (Mahoney, assisted by Cummins and Campoli), ruining Michelone’s shutout bid.
The Panthers were outshot 46-29, but their offensive efficiency and strong defensive play secured the much-needed win. The victory moves Pickering back into eighth place in the standings and sets up a huge game this Friday, February 7, as they travel to Lindsay to take on the Muskies at 7:30 PM.
