Port Moody Black Panthers hope Game 7 is their lucky number again.
The Cats slipped 4-3 Monday to the Abbotsford Pilots at PoMo Rec Complex and were forced into their second straight, seven-game Pacific International Jr. 'B' hockey league playoff series.
The deciding contest is 7 p.m. tonight at Abby's MSA Arena, with the winner going on to the PIJHL championship series.
After rallying back from a 3-1 series deficit to beat the Ridge Meadows Flames in seven games in the opening round, the Cats pulled the reverse against the Pilots -- blowing a 3-1 games margin by losing 7-1 Saturday in Abbotsford before falling by one Monday in PoMo.
There, the Cats trailed 4-0 six minutes into the second period before mounting a furious comeback, closing the gap to 4-2 on back-to-back goals from Tyler Basham and Cameron Patterson entering the third.
The Cats' Jamie Benz then pocketed another goal with 10 minutes remaining in the contest but that was as close as the hosts could come.
"Frustrated, disappointed, concerned," said Black Panthers general manager Ron Luniw, describing his emotions following the game.
He added getting the early jump on the Pilots in Game 7 would be vital, especially in their own rink.
"I told our guys we better even win the opening faceoff," he said.
The Cats/Pilots winner plays the victor of the Richmond Sockeyes/Delta Icehawks semifinal showdown.
