Panthers come from behind to advance in Dodge Cup

The Midget AA Lakeshore Panthers proved once again that they are at their best with their backs against the wall, coming from behind to win a 3-2 decision against the Mille-Iles Seigneurs in Friday morning Dodge Cup play. The Panthers have proven difficult to eliminate this season, winning the regional playoffs by reeling off four consecutive wins in do-or die games, and now overcoming a shaky first period to advance to Saturday’s action.

The win came on the heels of a disappointing loss Thursday night against the Montreal Royals, a game in which the Panthers didn’t perform up to their capabilities. Friday didn’t appear to be any better, with the Panthers trailing 2-0 after two. In fact, if not for a spectacular effort from goaltender Marc Andre Menard, the game would almost certainly have been over after the first. Menard was bombarded, facing point shots, breakaways and odd man rushes, but was able to keep it close and give his teammates a chance to turn it around.

And turn it around they did. Despite coming up empty in the second, they tightened up their defensive coverage and began to generate some opportunities in the offensive end, setting the stage for a dramatic third period.

Only a minute and a half in, Nicolas Magnan got his team on the board, sliding home a Greg Ferguson pass from the slot. Building on the momentum it generated, Magnan found Alex Gordon alone a few minutes later and just like that the score was even at 2.

Lakeshore kept the pressure on and with under four minutes to go Gordon found the back of the net again, firing a laser top corner on the power play to complete the comeback.

The win guaranteed the Panthers at least one game on Saturday, with four wins needed to claim the provincial title. It’s possible that they will meet the Verdun/Lasalle Cobras along the way, whom they defeated in the regional final less than two weeks ago.

Nicolas Magnan also earner an assist on the winning goal, finishing the game with 3 points and leading Lakeshore in scoring with six points through three games. Derek Andrews is next with 3 goals and an assist after tallying both Panthers goals in their opening game victory.