When the Port Moody Black Panthers take the ice tonight (Wednesday) against the Aldergrove Kodiaks, the club will be looking to snap a 14-game losing skid that has sunk any hope of the team making the post-season.
The leaves were just turning brown when the Cats notched their fifth win of the season, a 4-3 bout against the Mission City Outlaws on Nov. 15.
But while the Pacific Junior Hockey League club continues to sit in the Harold Brittain Conference basement, there is increasing evidence the team could be ready for a breakout soon.
The team came close to knocking off Mission last Thursday, in a tightly played game that saw Panthers forward Wolfgang Schoenefuhs notch three assists while teammate Liam Pearce had two goals and an assist.
Port Moody jumped out to a one goal lead after Michal Urbaniak scored early in the opening frame, but Mission responded with goals from Kurt Thrussell and Cameron Bertsch.
The Black Panthers' Martin Campbell tied it up before the first period ended to make it 2-2 going into the second. Mission pulled away a bit in the middle frame, scoring three goals, while Port Moody's Daniel Obcena managed one for the visiting club.
But the Cats were not done yet.
Pearce scored a goal early in the third to make it 5-4 for Mission but the Outlaws managed to add another insurance goal.
Another tally from Pearce made it 6-5 and the team was unable to tie up the game before the final buzzer sounded.
On Saturday, the team struggled on home ice, dropping a 7-4 decision to the Ridge Meadows Flames at the Port Moody Rec Complex.
Ridge jumped out to a 3-1 lead int the first period, and despite two goals from Port Moody in the second, the home team still trailed 5-3 going into the final period.
Two more goals from Ridge Meadows sealed the loss for Port Moody.
The team will take on the Kodiaks tonight (Wednesday) at 7:15 p.m. at the Aldergrove Community Arena.
