This Friday, the Storm will try to accomplish something that Victoria, Kerry Park and now Westshore couldn’t do, and that’s beat the Panthers.
The boys from Saanichton have rolled through all 3 opponents, winning by a combined score of 24-4.
They are deep at every position. Up front, Captain Evan Campbell leads the league with 11 points in 3 games, while line-mate Joe Densmore is tops in goals with 7 after just 3 games.
Cole Peterson finished 4th last year in league scoring while with Kerry Park. They have sandpaper guys like Justin Isaac and Eric Larsen who aren’t afraid to get their noses dirty.

Michael Scarborough of the Panthers

On defense, they might have more depth than any other team. Michael Scarborough played three years in the WHL with Red Deer and Regina, and might be one of the smoothest skaters in the league. Jake Bryan and Kurtis Rumenovich are solid, no nonsense blue liners. It’s not surprising many are picking Peninsula to repeat. That’s without including Brady Berisof, one of the best goalies in the league who led his team to it’s first VIJHL championship in franchise history.

So it appears that it will be a daunting task for our boys.
But our boys had a pair of memorable games with those Panthers last year, including a 1-0 loss in Peninsula where Tyler Bachmeier stood on his head and made 65 saves. Who can forget the 5-4 OT win for the Storm at the Brindy, with Steven Schmidt firing the winner on a set up from Jesse Bachmeier. You know all three of those guys will have to bring their 'A' game to the rink, along with every other player wearing green, gold and red  to get two points in one of the toughest building to win in. It's a question of how hard are they willing to work to achieve it?

Coach Jim Revenberg knows it won’t be easy. I spoke with him today about the Westshore win, and about preparing to enter the Panther’s lair.



Whatever happens, it should be a memorable night at the Panorama Recreation Arena.