Caleb Franklin scored the tying and winning goals as the Kerry Park Islanders ended 2016 with a third-period comeback win over the Peninsula Panthers on Dec. 28.
The Isles, who had just 13 skaters available for the road game, trailed 2-0 after the first period and 3-1 after the second, but scored three unanswered goals in the final frame to edge the Panthers 4-3.
Dawson Haines sparked the comeback with his third goal of the season at 5:57 of the third. Franklin tied the score with a shorthanded marker at 8:46, then added the winner with two minutes and 38 seconds left in regulation.
Brandon Wilson had scored the Isles first goal of the night 24 seconds into the second period. Defenceman Joe Lamoureux assisted on both of Franklin’s goals, and Jacob Malloch also had a pair of helpers in the third period. Goalie Chase Anderson made 34 saves to hold the Isles in the game until Franklin kickstarted the offence.
Franklin leads the Isles in all major offensive categories, with 13 goals, 16 assists and 29 points in 31 games played.
Wilson, Kayden Peck and Jarrett Malloch are tied for second in goals with nine apiece. Rookie Wilson is also second in assists with 15, and in points with 24.
The team sits fourth in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League’s South Division, five points back of third-place Westshore, and seven ahead of fifth-place Peninsula.
The Isles will play their first two games of 2017 on the road as they visit the Westshore Wolves on Wednesday and the Panthers again on Friday.
They return to Kerry Park Arena on Saturday to host the Wolves, and are at home again on Tuesday against the Saanich Braves. Both home games begin at 7:30 p.m.