Panthers power their way to semifinal series lead

Posted By JEFF GARD, NORTHUMBERLAND TODAY

Four power play goals enabled the Port Hope Panthers to claim the first victory in their Empire junior C hockey semifinal playoff series against the Amherstview Jets.

Trevor Sweetland and Kyle Giroux each scored twice as the Panthers defeated the Jets 5-2 in Amherstview on Sunday night. Team captain Adam Vandertoorn also scored.

Port Hope capitalized on its man-advantage opportunities as Amherstview racked up 74 minutes in penalties.

"They had real trouble with discipline last night and we didn't," said Port Hope head coach Matt Muir.

Muir acknowledged that the Panthers were usually guilty of losing their composure, especially against the Jets, during regular season outings.

Sunday night, though, was different. "It was the (Port Hope) team I know we can be," the coach remarked.

Port Hope jumped out to a 2-0 advantage on power play goals by Sweetland and Vandertoorn, and led 2-1 by the end of the first period. The Jets evened the score midway through the second.

If there was any point where Muir thought his club could have unraveled, it would have been the latter half of the second period. The Panthers could have become undisciplined but Muir said they battled through it and a late power play goal, with 14 seconds to go in the middle frame, by Giroux regained their focus.

"We got back on track," Muir said. "That (Giroux goal) let the team believe we could win."

Giroux scored again five minutes into the third while Sweetland notched his second (and the fourth power play goal) with time winding down in regulation. 

Only 34 penalty minutes were handed to the Panthers in the contest. Muir stressed the importance of limiting Amherstview's power play chances. Both Jets goals, by Mike Londry and Joel McAllister, both came with a man-advantage.

"Their power play is lethal. We know we absolutely need to stay out of the penalty box," Muir said. "I was real proud of the composure (Sunday) night and if we can keep that up, the better chance we have to win this series."

Muir knows it's still early and Game 2 could present a different Amherstview squad.

"They're well coached and a great hockey team, so I expect them to make some adjustments."

With that said, Muir noted its up to the Panther players to stick to their strategy.

"I told them we need to mirror the effort," he said. "If we stay within a strict game plan, we should be fine."