The Port Moody Black Panthers will look to start their climb out of the Pacific Junior Hockey League basement on Saturday when the Mission City Outlaws come to town.
The Cats, who notched their second win of the season on Sunday in a 2-1 bout against the Grandview Steelers, have sputtered on offence and struggled to keep goals out of their net.
But on Sunday, the team was able to buckle down defensively, in large part thanks to the play of goalie Angus Redmond, who stopped 33 of 34 shots he faced.
The 17-year-old netminder, who has played four games with the Cats this season, improved his save percentage to .905 with a goals against average of 4.62.
Port Moody also seemed to find its groove offensively, with goals from Fraser Sutherland, who was named first star of the game, and Martin Campbell. Campbell opened the scoring in the second period on a feed from Bryden Luscombe two minutes into the frame.
The Steelers responded with a goal from Liam Fordy 12 minutes later but Cats forward Fraser Sutherland sealed the deal for Port Moody with a powerplay marker midway through the third.
The Cats were not as lucky on Saturday, when the club lost to the Ridge Meadows Flames at the Port Moody Arena.
The visitors poured on the shots, notching 39 before the third period began. By the end of the game Port Moody goalie Zachary Station stopped 42 of 47 for a save.
The Cats dug a hole early, surrendering three goals to the Flames before they could get on the board.
Wolfgang Schoenefuhs scored midway through the second period for Port Moody, and was followed by goals from Vitalik Morozov and Daniel Obcena. But the Cats could not even the score, losing 5-3 to the visitors.
The Black Panthers will take on Mission on Saturday, Oct. 13, at 7:45 p.m. at the Port Moody Arena.
