The Black Panthers drove into their sixth season in Port Moody on Tuesday with an impressive road victory. Now, they're looking to win over more fans at their home venue.
"We've been here six years now so the next thing is to try to get the support we think we've earned," said Cats general manager Ron Luniw. "Instead of spending $500 a game to see the [NHL Vancouver] Canucks, you can spend $20 and pretty much bring your whole family to one of our games."
The Cats doubled the Delta Ice Hawks 4-2 at Ladner Leisure Centre to open the Pacific International Jr. 'B' hockey league season.
Down 1-0 after the first period, the Cats fired in the game's next four goals -- three straight in the second period -- to upset the Ice Hawks, who finished second overall in the 10--team loop last season.
"We had some early jitters and finally found our way," Luniw said. "We did have our hands full... Delta has a big, strong hockey club full of guys who have played two or three years in this league. But we just started to crank it up and out-skated them."
Four different players netted a goal apiece to pace the Cats' balanced attack, including Zack Henry, Anthony Dispirito, Julian Klaric and Dylan Friel.
Nicholas Taylor was sharp in the PoMo cage, making 38 stops as the Cats were out-shot by a lopsided 40-17 margin. The Cats dressed only 17 players in the contest, leaving new head coach Craig Sherbaty no tough decisions regarding playing time.
"He didn't have to shorten his bench, put it that way," Luniw laughed. Luniw received more good news later in the week when he got word defenceman Ryan Panichelli is due back soon from his tryout stint with the Jr. 'A' Nanaimo Clippers.
ICING: The Cats make their home debut tomorrow (Saturday) when they host the Aldergrove Kodiaks, 7:45 p.m.
