Game Day Preview: Preseason Game 5 - Dallas Stars at Florida Panthers

by John Beatty on Sep 27, 2011 11:00 AM EDT in Florida Panthers Game Previews: '11-12

Start Time: 7:30 PM
Radio: 560 WQAM
TV: None
Florida: 1-3-0
Dallas: 3-1-0
Pre-Season Series: 0-0-0

Today is the final home game of the Panthers' preseason schedule. The team made a few cuts Monday, and we're quite likely to see a number of the remaining bubble players again tonight. This game will mark the return of former two-time Panther Radek Dvorak to South Florida; dealt at the 2011 trade deadline to the Atlanta Thrashers and injured soon after, he signed with the Stars as a UFA over the summer. It is not known, however, if he will be in the lineup. This preseason game is the only time the Stars travel to Sunrise this year. Randy Moller is back in action tonight. This will be the first pre-season game broadcast in any format by the Panthers. So, everyone who is not at the Billboard can tune in to home commentary this evening. Our live game threads will return on October 8th, but in the meantime we'll be crashing the live chat at OFP once more this evening.

Last meeting: The visiting Stars beat the Cats 4-1 early last season. Tom Wandell had two goals - including the game winner - with former Panther Karlis Skrastins garnering an assist on the play. Stephen Weiss had the lone goal for the Cats.

Last game: The Panthers lost 5-3 to the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Florida had a 3-2 lead in the second frame but allowed the Bolts back into the game on a bad defensive breakdown; the visitors took the opening and didn't let up. The Cats played a disjointed third period as the Lightning scored two more in the third to seal the victory. This game was the first preseason action for starting goaltender Jose Theodore as well as a number of other veterans, including Weiss, Ed Jovanovski, Tomas Fleischmann and Kris Versteeg.

Notes: The Panthers cut defenseman Colby Robak from camp Monday, assigning him to San Antonio while placing Steven Reinprecht and Michal Repik on waivers. Both are expected to be with the Rampage if they clear.

Injuries: Scott Clemmensen (knee), IR, 9/26.

Healthy Scratches: Stephen Weiss, Evgeny Dadonov, Matt Bradley, Ryan Carter, Keaton Ellerby, Mike Kostka, Jose Theodore

Starting goaltenders: Clemmensen was originally announced as the starter, but had a procedure performed on his knee Monday morning. Only a very rough timetable was given for his return, anywhere from 3 to 8 weeks; he will certainly miss the beginning of the season. The organization has said that they haven't decided on a backup as yet. Tyler Plante and Jacob Markstrom will split tonight's preseason match.

Lines: (From today's practice)

Forwards

Fleischmann - Kopecky - Versteeg
Bergenheim - Kennedy - Huberdeau
Matthias - Goc - Skille
Booth - Santorelli - Upshall

Defense

Jovanovski - Gudbranson
Campbell - Garrison
Weaver - Kulikov

More from our Dallas cohorts at Defending Big D.

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Comments

Versteeg for MVP!

by Rob PKane McMahon on Sep 27, 2011 12:46 PM EDT reply actions

Moment of silence for Skrastins; you will be missed.

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by Ryan Meier on Sep 27, 2011 12:58 PM EDT reply actions

I’m hoping they do that again, like they did for Wade Belak when we played Nashville.

I really hope they do it for everyone on opening night.

"We don't need the designated goon. Those fights aren't even fun to watch." -Mike Milbury

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by John Beatty on Sep 27, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Got to be a plan for something.

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Sep 27, 2011 4:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah for a radio broadcast – hopefully on their internet feed as well.

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by coasterg on Sep 27, 2011 3:15 PM EDT reply actions

I’m sure you can find it on the net somewhere.. if they dont have a net feed im sure you can find a radio tuner online. I dont even think I have a radio anymore other than in car.. lol

by Rob PKane McMahon on Sep 27, 2011 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Check wqam at 7

Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Sep 27, 2011 5:00 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

how much does parking cost on preseason games? I’ve got freebies to this one but I’m torn on making the 70 mile round trip or not.

by jimmyh71 on Sep 27, 2011 4:19 PM EDT reply actions

parking is free…well its already included in tix

by Colt1235 on Sep 27, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

unless you park somewhere I am not aware of?

by Colt1235 on Sep 27, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Should be free parking — but I would not be surprised to hear there’s a “handling fee” on those free tickets somewhere between $5 and $10 each if the freebies are vouchers. At least that’s often been the case in the past.

by OldDave on Sep 27, 2011 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions

The team is pretty good with freebies.. theres never handling fees or anything of the sort.. and I havent paid for parking since.. well I dont even remember maybe for the past 3-4 yrs

by Rob PKane McMahon on Sep 27, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Howden sent back. Down to 27

by Colt1235 on Sep 27, 2011 4:22 PM EDT reply actions

Sent down to WHL, does that mean he can or cannot be called up if needed?

by Weezheat on Sep 27, 2011 4:32 PM EDT reply actions

Only after his team is eliminated from contention I believe.. not 100% sure on that

by Rob PKane McMahon on Sep 27, 2011 4:41 PM EDT up reply actions

What was Howden’s injury? A concussion? Never heard a word after rookie game in which he was injured! Also, does anyone think that Weiss could be moving, since he has only appeared in one game so far. Tough to get chemistry .

by bearcat30 on Sep 27, 2011 4:35 PM EDT reply actions

The only moving weiss would ever do is to wing during a faceoff if hes kicked out of the circle.

by Rob PKane McMahon on Sep 27, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Anyone’s movable but I don’t think Weiss is going anywhere. He’s not the problem and Tallon knows it and Weiss also has a fan aspect he can’t discount. If another team really wants Weiss, they are going to have to overpay handsomely (think Kessel).

by jimmyh71 on Sep 27, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Kessel is worth more than weiss.. unless youre using the kessel trade as an example.. but even then weiss isnt worth 2 first rounders. especially 2 lotto 1st rounders (even though toronto would have never thought theyd have #2 overall)

by Rob PKane McMahon on Sep 27, 2011 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: Howden…thought it was initially a shoulder issue

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by Donny Rivette on Sep 27, 2011 4:56 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

all along it has been reported Howden has “a minor neck injury”

by Todd Little on Sep 28, 2011 8:25 AM EDT up reply actions

Which in hockey means “Broken in three places”…

by OldDave on Sep 28, 2011 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions

that’s funny, but I’m sure if that was the case it would be more news worthy.
Probably just wrenched it out of place, That has happened me a couple of times and it’s pretty painful.

by Todd Little on Sep 28, 2011 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Game thread?

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by coasterg on Sep 27, 2011 7:07 PM EDT reply actions

Game Threads return on October 8. And every game thereafter.

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by Donny Rivette on Sep 27, 2011 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Network Bar

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