Cats Quickies: Tampa Bay Lightning 5, Florida Panthers 3
by John Beatty on Sep 25, 2011 9:20 AM EDT
in Florida Panthers Game Recaps: '11-12
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There was some grumbling in the parking lots last night, after the Panthers lost a one-goal lead in the third and lost to the Lightning. It was a rough third period, certainly, but that doesn't mean that all hope is lost or that it's going to be a rough season. There are things to keep in mind during the pre-season. One is that the point of exhibition games isn't necessarily to win them but to see how your players play, how well they play together in different combinations and how they react. A lot was made over the summer about how the Panthers would have a lot of work ahead of them bringing all these new people together and making them into a team. The beginning of those growing pains is what we saw in the third period last night.
The Lightning started out with a goal early while Stephen Weiss was in the box, but the Panthers came back quickly and took the lead. David Booth and Tim Kennedy combined to score again, which is starting to make me think that Kennedy might be making this team. But then something happened in the third: the Lightning woke up and the Panthers struggled to react. They looked confused at times. Brian Campbell made a weird pass to Booth that he didn't see coming. Tomas Fleischmann made one back to Dmitry Kulikov that he wasn't expecting and he lost it at the blueline. The Lightning were playing a B team, but a number of those people have been in the organization for a while and several of them played deep into the playoffs together. The Lightning played like a team in the third period and the Panthers didn't. That's something they have to work on and they still have over a week to go to the start of the season.
There were some positives. Booth and Kennedy combined for points again. There may be some history as both played for Michigan State. Kennedy also played for Dineen in Portland. Tomas Fleischmann is going to be dynamite once he gets used to playing with his linemates. I haven't seen a player that creative in the five seasons I've been watching the Panthers. We've been waiting for a guy like him for a while. The same goes for Jonathan Huberdeau. I can't say enough good things about him. Whether he makes the team this year or next, he's going to be huge for the Panthers. Brian Campbell is another standout. We may be overpaying him but he brings a lot of skill and vision to the Panthers' game. The power play had some issues last night, but it's looked better in every game than it did last year and a lot of that is because of Campbell's work at the point.
The Booth - Kennedy - Tomas Kopecky line was the best of the game, combining for two goals. The second best was the Huberdeau - Mike Santorelli - Evgeni Dadonov. They were the steadiest when the game started to fall apart for the Cats, possibly because Santorelli and Dadonov played together a lot last year and in this year's pre-season games. Jason Garrison has continued his good play from last season, even when not paired with Mike Weaver. He's been making up for the loss of Bryan Allen with some huge hits in the defensive zone.
There were negatives as well. Jose Theodore looked a bit rusty, giving up five goals, including three on twelve shots in the third. Mike Kostka made a lot of mistakes on defense. Even when the Panthers were playing well early in the game he still stuck out. Steven Reinprecht just isn't looking good enough to make this team anymore; they brought in too many better guys over the summer.
There are two games left before the start of the season, both against the Dallas Stars. Word is Scott Clemmensen will start the game here and Theodore the one in Dallas. Look for the coaching staff to try out another bunch of lines and for some of the guys who got their first game in tonight to settle in a little. And maybe we'll finally see the debut of Quinton Howden, who has still not seen game action. Then, no matter what happens, the team will be cut down to 22 on Thursday and then they have a week to practice systems and get used to playing with each other before the season opener on Long Island.
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I’m sorry if I’m wrong, but I think the players were Booth, Versteeg, and Kopecky. Kennedy didn’t score, he made a great behind the net pass to Versteeg for the goal.
I said to myself that I’d reserve judgement about the new PA announcer until I see him myself, and god man, he is just awful with the goal calls. It was good that Bill Murphy did the 1st call, because we were able to compare the two. The new guy says the names wayyy too quick, at one point he didn’t know who Jovocop was when he took his minor penalty and took a few seconds to find his name on the stat sheet, and he takes a long time to finish saying the goal call, the repeat taking even longer. Bill Murphy will always be the better PA announcer and I hope that he one day finds himself permanently back on the spot.
- Go Panthers -
Kopecky and Booth scored. Kennedy has an assist on both. That line had 6 points on the two goals. Versteeg’s goal was from Weiss and Fleischmann. The line " David Booth and Tim Kennedy combined to score again" refers to the fact that Kennedy and Booth assisted on each others’ goals when playing on a line together in the split-squad scrimmage last weekend.
"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
might be a good idea to pare the roster down now and get the regular season lineup working together in these final exhibition games. Seems like they need to sort out some kinks. I know once the chemistry comes together the team is going to be better, the big question to me is how big the drop off in goal is going to be from Vokoun to what we have now. Maybe it’s just me but why is it so assumed that Theodore is the #1 guy?
If Clemmer has the better camp he should get the nod. Also, I’m pretty sure he makes more money which doesn’t matter to me but if you are the higher paid guy and you are playing better…
A few additional notes: Repik doesn’t look like he’ll crack the roster since he made a slap shot on a 2 on 1 that went above the net and someone passed him the puck in front of the net and he did nothing with it. Gudbranson looked very solid last night and looks to crack the roster finally. Jovocop played great, had some booming slapshots from the point. Power Play definitely needs some work, but you see the potential.
- Go Panthers -
Is it Fleischmann or Flesichmann?
Did anyone but my wife see that Thomas Fleischmann’s name was spelled wrong on his jersey last night? She never misses a thing at a game. Also, the PA announcer was better than he was at the last game but still terrible. Something is wrong. I don’t know what it is but he doesn’t seem to have a hockey sense and probably is not a fan of hockey. Please "BRING BACK BILLLLLLLL BRING BACK BILLLLLLLL, BRING BACK BILLLLLLLLL, BRING BACK BILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL !
Sweet find. To the front page…
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Sep 25, 2011 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Had my opinions all typed up and then my browser crashed.. ugh! so now all I’mg going to say is VERSTEEG!!! lol
by Rob PKane McMahon on Sep 25, 2011 11:17 AM EDT reply actions
All with you, Rob. Versteeg was just crazy, I screamed out loud when I saw him get his first goal with the Panthers, lol. Could be our best player on the team out of the new guys.
- Go Panthers -
by flpanther360 on Sep 25, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d like to see Plante get atleast half a games work in before sending him down, maybe in clemmers start or something. No sense in keeping the guy around if he’s not going to be looked at. As far as the rest, Campbell looked good but not like his normal self I’m used to watching in Chicago. He just needs to settle in and get used to the different guys/style since he’s been with most of the same core for the past 3 seasons. Huberdeau I honestly didn’t notice on the ice very much and the same goes for Santorelli. Could be that Dineen was “resting” them in a way since they had played the day before, but they did look ok the few times I saw them. Flash and Kopecky both looked good out there but again I think they just need to come into the game a little, shake off the rust and just relax. Best for last? Versteeg! haha Sure I’m biased with him some but he looked really good on the ice tonight. Some things I heard in the past I noticed were somewhat true last night is that he tends to overthink plays, he tries to stickhandle a little too much sometimes (which someone was quoted as saying he can stickhandle through a phonebooth) but even then it can only go so far. He has a bit of an excitement to him flying around the ice throwing hits here and there and his agility is amazing with his sharp turns and dodges. I think he’s going to score 30 this year.. Flash could be around the same and Weiss will have career numbers
by Rob PKane McMahon on Sep 25, 2011 11:23 AM EDT reply actions
Get used to Theo, youre gonna be seeing him a lot in the first few weeks.
by Rob PKane McMahon on Sep 25, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know about anyone else but I kinda want to see booth and weiss back on the same line. There is enough depth to do that now! I wouldn’t mind seeing booth,weiss and versteeg together. Gosh I can’t stand watching repik play…He really can’t hit the net. Not too fond of kennedy either, there are way better people then him to keep in the lineup. I hope ryan carter makes the team…he has some toughness and isn’t afraid to hit the net
Dara
agreed
this is my feeling on Repik too. He can create chances and get loose in the offensive zone but he is a poor finisher.
by Todd Little on Sep 26, 2011 10:09 AM EDT up reply actions
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