It took a little time for the Panthers to find their legs following the Christmas break, but once they did, they looked dominant. Pickering led 1-0 after the opening period and 3-0 after two, then exploded for five more goals in the third to secure an emphatic 8-0 victory.
Veterans Charlie Key and Matt Indovina led the way with two goals apiece. Indovina continued his blistering pace since joining the Panthers, recording 11 goals and 11 assists through his first 12 games with the club and reaching the 100-point mark for his OJHL career on the night. Single goals were added by Ryder Dagenais, Evan Elliott, Devon Ferroni, and Landon Stevens.
Despite outshooting Cobourg 59-24 overall, the Panthers were actually outshot by the Cougars in both the second and third periods. Anthony Sciere was outstanding in goal, frustrating Cobourg on numerous chances, including stopping two breakaways. Sciere earned his 13th win of the season and recorded his second shutout.
With the victory, Pickering moved into sole possession of third place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of both the Newmarket Hurricanes and the Haliburton County Huskies.
