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Cat fight: Panthers battle their way into VIJHL finals

Peninsula Panthers face Victoria Cougars for junior B hockey title

The Peninsula Panthers are in the finals.

The local Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League squad beat out the Saanich Braves in semifinal action on Saturday to clinch a spot in the finals against the division-leading Victoria Cougars.

Earlier in the series against the Braves, the Panthers were down three games to one in the best-of-seven contest, but came clawing back, winning 2-1 in an adrenaline-filled overtime Wednesday, March 14, then 8-5 on Friday and 3-2 in overtime Saturday.

The Panthers played again today in the finals against the Cougars, at 3 p.m. at Archie Browning Arena in Esquimalt.

The Peninsula Panthers were the victors in last year’s VIJHL playoffs.

Here's the playoff schedule:

Game 1    Sunday, March 18       3 p.m. @ Archie Browning

Game 2    Thursday, March 22    7:15 p.m. @ Archie Browning

Game 3    Friday, March 23         7:30 p.m. @ Panorama Rec

Game 4    Saturday, March 24     6:30 p.m. @ Panorama Rec

Game 5*   Sunday, March 25      7:30 p.m. @ Archie Browning

Game 6*   Saturday, March 31     8:30 p.m. @ Panorama Rec

Game 7*   to be determined

*if necessary