Florida Panthers, Vokoun outlast penalties; shut out visiting Carolina Hurricanes 3-0

by Donny Rivette on Nov 4, 2009 10:24 PM EST Comment 3 comments

In what began as a penalty-filled nightmarish orgy for the host Cats, "hanging in there" ultimately went a long way for the boys from Sunrise. (Above is the first goal of the game. I'd wanted to move it to the bottom of the post, but that proved impossible. So here it is.)

Goaltender Tomas Vokoun - vilified right here at The Box in recent games - continued his confident, stoic, do-the-job attitude, stopping 32 shots (21 in the first frame) to dance his way to a second consecutive shutout. St. Louis was a pleasant surprise. Carolina? No matter what their struggles may be, a night against the Cats typically rights their ship. Not this night. Vokoun is dispaying something fans have not seen since his acquisition over two years ago. He's a different player in the past three games. Temporary? Perhaps, but he's looking damn solid.

And how about "The Line"? Steven Reinprecht and ex-Cane Cory Stillman combined for four points; mate Nathan Horton left with nothing on the board, but was active all night (forget his statistical one shot).

Notes: SOG Leader: Bryan McCabe (4), who also banged in an assist. Rostislav Olesz had a spirited game, ending with an unrepresentative 3 shots. Carolina - somehow - topped Florida's seven penalties with eight of their own. The Hurricanes' Brandon Sutter (0 points, even) led Carolina with four shots. Former Stanley Cup MVP netminder Cam Ward finished with 29 saves.

And hey...Bryan Allen scored a goal!!! Tear it up, B!

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THE LINE!!!!!!!!

by alterego6487 on Nov 4, 2009 10:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We only had one more PP than Carolina??

Come on, serioulsly? every five minutes I was turning to my girlfiriend laughing that we had another powerplay (and then awkwardly apologising because we SUCKED)

by LondonDave on Nov 5, 2009 3:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

It was good to beat a team that we SHOULD beat. HOWEVER, they really need to start home games with a little more jump. I’m thinking a GOOD team (like, say, Washington on Friday) would have put them in a two or three goal hole last night before the first potty break.

Anyway, solid is a good word for Vokoun. I still think he’s a very good (not NHL elite) goalie. Perhaps some of the difference is better support in front of him. Say what you will about the 21-4 shot margin in period one, but quitea few were peripheral shots and there weren’t a whole lot of second chances. Still, there were no softies and that is an excellent thing.

I liked Oreskovich, Taffe and McArdle. We’re getting there. “The Line” is looking like a real first line. I think Reino has really opened up Horton’s game. Much to llike there. Hoping for at least a split this weekend.

by drscruf on Nov 5, 2009 7:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

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