Chong Min Lee helped the Port Moody Panthers break a four-game losing streak on Monday, defeating the Abbotsford Pilots 5-4 in the final regular season game of the year.
The Cats, whose 16-27-0-1 record means they will miss the post-season, were down by a goal going into the third when Lee tied the game up after burying a pass from Daniel Szpakowski five minutes into the period.
A few minutes later, Lee once again found the back of the net, helping Port Moody avoid overtime and notch their 16th win of the season. Lee was named first star of the game, while Szpakowski, who had a two-point game after scoring earlier in the night, was named second star.
But things did not get off to a great start for the Panthers.
Abbotsford jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first period after Brady Morton scored his first of the game, followed by a goal from Philip Gauthier.
Port Moody found their legs after the first intermission, with Brayden Szabados making it 2-1and Szpakowski scoring on the power play.
However, when a Port Moody player hauled down Abby’s Nate Castonguay on his way to the net, a penalty shot was called and Castonguay was able to capitalize.
Port Moody’s Stefano Centanni tied things up again for the home team, but the Pilots re-took the lead before the second intermission with Morton’s second goal for the night. He was named third star for his performance.
The Panthers finish the season in last place in the Tom Shaw Conference, edged out of a post-season berth by the North Vancouver Wolf Pack, who finished with a 17-24-1-2 record.
