Cats Quickies: Dadonov heroics fall short as DiPietro, Islanders earn 4-3 shootout victory
by Donny Rivette on Mar 19, 2011 11:16 PM EDT
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The video above, co-starring Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov - a veteran of precisely zero fisticuffs in 130 NHL games - is quite possibly the best representation of what went down in Sunrise on Saturday night.
For the record: Hotel Kuli's dance partner, New York Islanders forward Blake Comeau, had the same number of fights heading in to the evening. Strange yet compelling stuff all around, and more so considering a one-point separation between these two clubs in the standings circa 7pm. As things currently sit, FLA and NYI are tied with 68 points; the Cats hold a one game-in-hand advantage, depending upon your view at this time of year.
Regarding that "view"...it was difficult distinguishing those few still hanging on for the postseason from the hordes - myself included - cheering on the eventual strategic advantage of a high lottery pick: as has been the case of late, the Panthers made it easy to climb aboard and throw the future to the wind. Said it myself in the Game Thread: Win or lose, "tank" or no "tank", this was a club worth getting behind. Not because the playoffs are in sight, and certainly not for another long summer. Simply for the fun in watching a terrific hockey game involving players who are enjoying the ride. Bravo, Cats and Isles. It was a good one.
Notes: Get this out of the way early: Michael Grabner netted a shorthanded goal to open the scoring a 5:13 of the second frame. Now please let it go. Scorers: (FLA) - Evgeny Dadonov (2), Stephen Weiss. Assists - Clay Wilson, David Booth, Sergei Samsonov (2), Kulikov, Niclas Bergfors; (NYI) - Grabner, P.A. Parenteau, Micheal Haley. Assists - Frans Nielsen, Jack Hillen, Grabner. SO: (FLA) - saves on Mike Santorelli and Samsonov; (NYI) - goals by Nielsen and Parenteau. Goaltenders: (FLA) - Scott Clemmensen 18 saves; (NYI) - Rick DiPietro 29 saves. Niclas Bergfors and Mike Santorelli each had 5 SOG. FLA led in hits with 31-25 (Ryan Carter - who had a beast of a night - paced all players with 6). More from Lighthouse Hockey here.
Couldn't let this ^ go: The Russia House, Redux. Dadonov blasts his second of the night, assisted by Samsonov and Kulikov. Sick effort by a roster headed for the Osterizer in July. Kudos.
Next up: Panthers hit the road for a Tuesday show at MSG against the Rangers; Live Game Thread at 6:30.
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Really hate doing this, but just as my folks told me 20 years ago: Saturday Night Live only gets worse.
They were correct. It’s cover-your-eyes bad.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
Wonder what is our percentage of missing the net completely on penalty shots?
CFS93
by chesterbardo on Mar 20, 2011 11:44 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
This was a good game, one of the most entertaining I’ve seen all season, from two clubs headed for yet another season out of the playoffs. Thanks, guys!
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
It’s a funny world. John saw the same game I did, from pretty much the same vantage point. I thought last night’s game was so-so at best, with little of the energy I saw during the previous Toronto game. But then, I’m coming down with the flu bug again, and that may be affecting my outlook on things.
Remember, I missed the Toronto game.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
Dadonov hasn’t been demoted yet; will the surprises ever cease?
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Mar 20, 2011 12:37 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Dadonov looked like he hadn’t missed a beat last night. He was flying and creating chances. Even on the third goal by the Islanders, it was a case of him getting too cute to try for the third goal. He then almost rectified his mistake by almost setting up the tying goal.
by panthersfan27 on Mar 20, 2011 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Looked like he GAINED a beat.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Mar 20, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Whaa??
The unaimed arrow never misses
by Chris S Roberts on Mar 20, 2011 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Doesn’t matter. They’re now as far out as we are. We’re 11 points out with 10 games left, they’re 15 points out with 13 games left.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
by John Beatty on Mar 21, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Maybe they’re thinking of keeping Callahan and want to see him play more. Or maybe Wilson is just too much of a defensive liability, as good as he can be offensively?
I’m thinking it’s the first. Callahan is way cheaper in the AHL, though both make about the same when they’re playing here.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
by John Beatty on Mar 21, 2011 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
And in russian media Dadonov said that he wasn’t at 100% fitness level. A few more games and he will hopefuly be more defensive responsible.
Does he get a lot of attention in Russia?
The unaimed arrow never misses
by Chris S Roberts on Mar 20, 2011 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions
KHL likely still waiting for him to jump ship, as was hinted at a year ago.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Mar 20, 2011 9:35 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well Dadonov wasn’t the top player even in Traktor system. So it’s highly unlikely that anyone will try to lure him back in KHL at all costs.
Personally I hope he can claim his roster spot with Panthers next year.
I think that’s already done. When they shipped Reinprecht off to Europe, it was because Dadonov took his spot on the team. He would have to seriously regress over the summer to not be starting on the Panthers next year.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
by John Beatty on Mar 21, 2011 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed big-time.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Mar 22, 2011 1:20 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Not really. It seems that russian sports media is interested only in Caps. And you should now the reason. Malkin is another popular figure. And that’s all. All other russian NHL players got litlle to none coverage here.
I guess that even Samsonov trade has gone unnoticed. And there are no Panthers coverage since Bure days.
But they know Samsonov as well as we do: he plays for an extension then disappears. That’s his history.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Mar 22, 2011 1:22 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
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