Panther City To Face Thunderbirds in Halifax for Franchises First Matchup

FORT WORTH, TX (March 13, 2024) – The Panther City Lacrosse Club (6-6) will head to Nova Scotia for the first matchup in franchise history against the Halifax Thunderbirds (7-6) on Friday, March 15 at 5:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+. Pat Gregoire (PxP), Pete Dalliday (Analyst) and Maki Jenner (Floor Reporter) will be on the call from the Scotiabank Centre. 

Panther City is coming off a massive 9-8 overtime win in Philadelphia last Sunday. It was the fourth overtime game PCLC has been involved in this season through 12 games (2-2 OT record) and their sixth game this season decided by one goal. Panther City is 3-3 this season in games decided by one goal. 

Phil Caputo was the hero in Philly as he netted the game winner 4:31 into the extra frame for his second goal of the game. His first goal in the second quarter was his 100th career goal. Caputo, in his three seasons with Panther City, has now recorded six game-winning goals, of which is a franchise record. 

Will Malcom has been on a tear since March 1, as PCLC has played three games thus far this month and Malcom is averaging eight points per game. Against Philadelphia last weekend, Malcom led the team with eight points (3G/5A). It was his fifth hat trick of the 2023-24 season. 

Goalie Nick Damude had one of his best games of the season against Philadelphia and stopped 48 of the 56 shots he faced for an 85.7 save percentage. It was his fifth game this season with a save percentage of 80% or better and his fourth game allowing single-digit goals. Transition Player Josh Medeiros has had a strong March as in three games this month he is averaging over 8 loose balls per game and is currently tied for third on the team with 11 caused turnovers. 

Halifax has a dynamic offense led by MVP candidate Clarke Petterson (73 points) and former Panther City forward Ryan Benesch (35 goals). Defenseman Jake Withers leads the NLL with 214 loose balls and is the team’s caused turnover leader (21).