Jackson Penney's 4 Championship banners hanging in Panorama will have to wait for a 5th. After another hard fought year, the Victoria Cougars have won the Brent Patterson Memorial Trophy for the 3rd straight year. The Peninsula Panthers put up one hell of a fight that lasted 6 games. I originally predicted the Cougars would win in 5, and the series could have easily gone that way, with either team being the victor.
The Cougars came out flying in game 1 and showed everyone why they are the top team in the VIJHL. The very next game though, the Panthers showed unreal tenacity by coming back from being down 3-0 to win in double OT. The Panthers would win again in overtime for game 3. Now a series that could have just as easily been 3 games to 0 for Victoria, was 2 games to 1 for Peninsula. Victoria was on their heals, and Peninsula was flying. If the Panthers won game 4, to take a 3-1 series lead, the Cougars would have had a very hard time coming back. Momentum is everything in playoff hockey. Victoria would have none of that. Rattling off 3 straight wins to capture the title in exciting fashion.
The Victoria Cougars are heading to the Cyclone Taylor Cup for a 3rd year in a row. For the previous 2 years, the had to settle for silver. I know that isn't good enough for this club. They have unfinished business when it comes to the provincial championship for junior B hockey. I have long believed it's better to win bronze than lose to take silver. This team on the other hand, has zero desire to take anything that isn't gold home.
Last season many believed that the Cougars team that went to Comox to play in the CTC was the outright favorite to win due to the sheer dominance they showed all season. I still think that that dominance was their downfall. The Cougars last year walked all over the VIJHL and faced little to no adversity. When they made it the Cyclone Taylor tournament, they faced much stronger competition and they weren't ready for it. The VIJHL this season showed amazing parity with several teams contending for the title all year long. This allowed the Cougars to actually scratch and claw for their wins. When they head to Nelson they will be far more prepared to face the stiff mainland competition.
This whole year was a blast to call, and watch. I have seen some of the best games of hockey of my life this season. My year isn't done yet either, the best part of the season is yet to come.
Prediction: Victoria 4 - Peninsula 1
Result: Victoria 4 - Peninsula 2
