The Port Moody Panthers are getting hot at the right time. The Panthers have reeled off a pair of wins as the Pacific Junior Hockey League heads into the final three weeks of the regular season.
The Panthers stopped the North Delta Devils 5-2 in Port Moody. That win came on the heels of a 4-2 victory over the visiting Grandview Steelers Saturday night.
Adam Rota had a goal and two assists in Saturday's win while Rayne Schwinghammer added a goal and an assist and Nicco Marconato and Kurt Sonne chipped in singles. Christian Plain was strong in the Panthers' net, turning aside 29 shots as the Steelers outshot Port Moody 31-21. Rota, Schwinghammer, Marconato, Wolfgang Schoenefuhs and Sammy Zeinab supplied the offence Monday.
The Panthers travel to Aldergrove Wednesday to take on the first-place Kodiaks.
Port Moody now has 20 points in 38 games, one point back of the fourth-place Mission City Outlaws.
A possible playoff berth could be on the line when the Panthers host the Outlaws Saturday at 7:45 p.m.
"We've started to make some progress now and that's going to be our home run game," said Panthers coach and GM Jamie Jackson.
"We're going to have to put a couple more wins together but that will be a big one for us."
But the Panthers will be without their leader on the blue-line for the stretch drive. Daniel Delbianco has signed with the Chilliwack Chiefs of the B.C. Hockey League.
Delbianco, a 19-year-old Coquitlam product, led the Panthers in scoring with 19 goals and 33 assist in 29 games when he signed with Chilliwack earlier this month. He has put up one assist in five games with the Chiefs.
Delbianco, whose 12 power play goals was tied for the lead in the PJHL at the time of his signing, is no stranger to the BCHL, spending most of the 2011/12 season with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
"Daniel's signing with Chilliwack leaves a void on our roster no doubt, but at the end of the day, moving players up to a higher level is our ultimate goal," said Jackson. "We wish Daniel nothing but the best with the Chiefs and thank him for everything he's done for the Panthers this season."
