Frolik exorcises Panthers' third-period demons, nets winner over Thrashers

by Donny Rivette on Dec 16, 2009 10:30 PM EST Comment 6 comments

A 3-1 lead carried into the third. A 3-1 lead blown in the third. Slava Kozlov scores at 6:27 of the final frame to wipe away any memory of Stephen Weiss, Radek Dvorak, and Bryan McCabe's efforts earlier in the evening.

Again, fans could smell it...another dominant game set to fall short after forty minutes. The expected became a most unexpected surprise as the Cats kept their heads. The result? First regulation win in Sunrise since November 4th. Home win number five. Five.

Let that sink in as you prep for the holidays among the crowds in mid-December.

Michael Frolik banged home his 10th of the year at the 18:39 mark, ultimately sealing the victory for Florida (though Atlanta hung on, hung on, hung on until the very end). The Thrashers have surprised, shocked, and impressed the league of late; tonight was no different after Ilya Kovalchuk and Nik Antropov paved the way for Kozlov's stunner.

The payoff? Two points gained. Period. For the first time in recent memory, the Panthers gave up nothing to their opponent at the BankAtlantic Center. Peter DeBoer instilled focus. Believe it.

For the curious: Nathan Horton had two assists.

Tomas Vokoun walled 20 shots as Atlanta's Johan Hedberg stopped 25 in a game which played out as a bit on the wilder shores of defensive responsibility for both clubs.

Florida's Bryan McCabe led the game with - get this - 8 shots on goal. If you can find a Panthers defenseman who topped that since the lockout ended, I'll owe you a Coke.

More to come in the a.m as we prep for a weekend of Jim Rutherford Deathwatch madness...

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No ponies were harmed in the making of this hockey win for the Panthers. But more than a few pucks were terribly inconvenienced. Sorry.

by DarthDaddy98 on Dec 16, 2009 11:03 PM EST reply actions

do not forget, we sit in 8th place alone, right now. can the season end now?!!!!!

by alterego6487 on Dec 16, 2009 11:11 PM EST reply actions

I wish, but based upon prior seasons, the Panthers need to rack up a 29-17-1 record to hold onto 8th. Difficult, but not impossible, let’s all hope we get Booth back sooner than later, and hope he’s on fire with the scoring right away.

by IceCat69 on Dec 17, 2009 12:00 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I know it's December...

but the Cats are now all alone in 8th place in the East. Despite all the injuries, the drama, the blown leads and seemingly endless anguish, the Panthers are right in the thick of things. Considering that they also appear to be picking up some steam, and a month from now their roster could be back at full strength…well I guess things aren’t that bad.

When it’s all said and done, I don’t care if they walk in the back door, ass backwards with their skates untied and their jocks on their heads…so long as they get into the playoffs.

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by David Dwork on Dec 17, 2009 4:59 AM EST reply actions

Sounds good to me. The Eastern Conference is one big mass of mediocre records right now. If the Panthers can keep playing well up until the Olympic break and pad that win total, they have a chance at holding that spot. But the Leafs are suddenly surging and you can’t count on the Flyers being terrible forever. And we still need to get past the Thrashers in the conference. But is still within reach.

As for last night, if I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t believe it. We were getting ready to leave because I had to hit the grocery store on the way home, and what’s the point of watching yet another shootout loss?

Florida Panthers: Giving the league a punching bag since 2000.

by Johnny B on Dec 17, 2009 9:15 AM EST up reply actions

Anyone else impressed with Oreskovich last night? His pass from in front of the net to McCabe was a real heads-up play and showed he has/(can have) some good hockey-sense. Nice to see the 4th line guys getting the opportunity to play some hockey (ie carry the puck and make a play) instead of dumping it in and wearing out the other side’s defensemen.

by BudGHG on Dec 17, 2009 9:50 AM EST reply actions

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