The Lakeland Panthers Bantam AA are winning games and taking names.
The local team remains undefeated (14-0) after a 23-3 victory over the Parkland Athletic Club (PAC) Saints at the R.J. Lalonde Arena on Sunday, Nov. 24.
Head coach Darcy Skarsen described the win as “a bit of a runaway.”
“There was more scoring than we’re typically used to, but with that being said, we’re pretty good about putting the puck in the net,” he noted.
Ben Skarsen, centre, agreed with his coach.
“We knew coming into the game that they were the last team in the league, and it would be a bit of a blow out, but I didn’t expect it to be that high of a score.”
The amount of wins the Panthers has racked up so far this season has made other teams take notice.
“I think we’ve got a big target on our back because we’re winning so much,” noted defenceman Zachary Lapointe. “I think we’re up for the challenge though.”
An aspect Skarsen believes is giving the team an edge this year is the depth of their roster.
“We’ve got three lines that can score goals, and that’s all there is to it. We’ve got the leading scorer and second leading scorer in the league, and they’re on different lines, which is nice. I think we’ve got seven in the next 15 kids in the league. Our nine forwards are basically the top 15 to 20 scorers in our whole league, which speaks to our depth. We roll lines, and any line can put the puck in the net at any given time,” he said.
He added, “Our motto this year for these guys is a good offence is the best defence. We’re spending a lot of time in the offensive zone, which doesn’t allow a lot of time for the defence side.”
The success the team has seen this season is partially why Skarsen was named head coach of the rural team for the bantam all-star game being hosted in Grande Prairie Dec. 14. The annual game brings the best of rural and city divisions head-to-head to see who comes out on top.
Ben and Lapointe will be found on the roster for the big matchup. They will be representing the Panthers on the ice.
“Ben is the leading scorer in the entire league, he’s like 20 points above the next guys, and Zach (Lapointe) is somewhere around the 40-plus point mark, so far. I think he’s been on the ice for one shot against this entire season. I think he’s one of the better defencemen, no doubt,” Skarsen expressed.
The Panthers are looking to repeat last year’s gold medal finish at the Henry White Trophy Tournament of Champions in Edmonton from Dec. 27 to 31.
This matchup is what Ben is looking forward to the most. Last year, he was named top forward for the tournament. He described the award as an honour, and hopes the team can once again bring home some hardware.
Although their goal is to maintain their win streak for as long as possible, the Panthers’ sights are set on ending the season as provincial champs.
But before that can happen, Skarsen said, the teams needs to focus on winning leagues.
“This team won leagues, and then they lost in the finals last year,” Skarsen recalled. “They’ve been in the finals for the last two years and are looking for redemption after the outcome in 2018.”
Skarsen stressed that without their experienced players, the team never could have accomplished what they have so far.
“It’s a group of boys I’ve had the pleasure to work with for the last eight seasons, and now it’s just watching them put it all together in this second year bantam. Everything’s going well. We have a solid team from one to 16, both of our goalies, our parents’ group, everyone is just putting in a complete effort. There’s lots to be excited for, and lots to look forward to.”
