Ugly, ugly, ugly: Panthers trounced by Senators 6-2
by Ryan Meier on Feb 15, 2012 10:21 PM EST
in Florida Panthers Game Recaps: '11-12
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When you wake up tomorrow morning, make sure you check the milk carton before you pour it on your cereal. Apparently the Panthers' work ethic has gone missing. After an absolutely dismal 6-2 loss on Wednesday night to the Ottawa Senators, every Panther player and coach should be looking inward, trying to figure out why the work ethic isn't present every single game as the Cats search for their first postseason berth in over a decade. With such a small and tenuous point lead over the Washington Capitals, you hardly expected the Panthers to come out with an effort so devoid of passion and urgency as they did against the Sens, but that's exactly what we got.
Despite outshooting, outhitting and outdrawing the Sens, the Cats got pushed around, giving up odd-man rushes, breakaways, power plays and generally playing a poor team game. Starting goaltender Scott Clemmensen was victimized early by the Panthers poor play, and was eventually yanked for Jose Theodore, who struggled as well. The Panther coaching staff has to be livid after this game, but they are just as much to blame for the preparedness of their troops as anyone. The Panthers simply didn't look ready to play a hockey game and Ottawa jumped all over them. The Panthers are now even in games played with the Capitals, and still hold a small four-point lead in the division. Another few games like this, though, and that lead will disappear in an instant.
* More postgame coverage from Silver Seven and SB Nation *
Scoring Summary:
1st
- Jim O'Brien (1) 5:35, assists to Nick Foligno and Brian Lee
- Shawn Matthias (10) 11:47, assist to Mike Weaver
2nd
- Kaspars Daugavins (4) 5:18, assists to Brian Lee and Erik Condra
- Bobby Butler (6) 7:24, assists to Milan Michalek and Jason Spezza
- Daniel Alfredsson (20) SH 14:06, assists to Kaspars Daugavins
3rd
- Milan Michalek (25) 1:24, assists to Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza
- Sean Bergenheim (12) 4:25, assists to Brian Campbell and Tomas Fleischmann
- Filip Kuba (5) PP 14:54, assists to Jason Spezza and Daniel Alfredsson
Observations
- There are no silver linings, no favorable angles, no positives to take away. Florida just got straight up trounced in this one. They were outworked, outskated, outchanced. They were sloppy in both ends, didn't get the goaltending when they needed to, and deserve the tongue-lashing and bag skates they may end up getting for this loss. If this team wants to make the playoffs, these types of losses have to stop now, because the Panthers have no room for them for the rest of the season.
- Yet another game where the Cats allowed the first goal. Broken record, eh? The Panthers have a disturbing trend of not coming out ramped up for the start of a period and it's a big reason why they get down in a hole early in games. If they make the playoffs, they're going to find that to be a very bad habit to have, as things are much tighter in the postseason on both ends of the ice. Climbing back out of those holes will be much tougher at that point.
- The Cats haven't had a four-game win streak since 2008. That's one of the most awful streaks I've heard of in awhile.
- The second period looked simply dismal. Very few of the Panthers skated hard the whole period, and there were more breakdowns than an LMFAO concert. The Panthers lost the game in one period. You hear the coaches and player preach the sixty-minute game, but clearly everyone forgot about that against the Sens.
- I love Randy Moller. That is all.
- The Panthers are putting Tomas Kopecky in front on the powerplay regularly now, and you gotta wonder why he hasn't been there all along. He was peeing in Anderson's cheerios every time he was out there, not only by getting in the way but by hacking at the puck so Andy couldn't get a clean cover with the glove.
- Clemmensen really misplayed the first goal, getting caught way out of position on the wrap around chance by O'Brien. Can't completely blame him though as one of the Panther D-men should've put O'Brien on the seat of his pants before he had a chance to complete the wrap. Clemmer made up for it later in the first though, stuffing a clear breakaway and preserving the 1-1 tie after the Matthias goal. He was later pulled though for Jose Theodore, who didn't fare much better. Can't really blame the goalies completely in this game though.
- Matthias' wrister in the first was a thing of beauty. He couldn't have had better placement on the shot and that's what we in the business like to call a "goal-scorer's goal". Matty was flying most of the game and when he's working hard, good things happen for Florida. There's no question he's a difference-maker for this team.
- Tonight's drink? Gin and tonic. One for every Sens goal. Gonna be a rough morning.
First Star: The in-game feed had the Kiss Cam up. At least that was worth watching.
Worst Star: Everyone wearing a red sweater.
Up Next: After getting spanked against division rival Washington last time they played, you can be sure the Panthers have Friday night circled on the calendar. Everyone knows division games are huge, but the Caps are probably the only team that can give Florida a real opponent for the division lead and the number three seed in the East. Let's hope Dineen has the boys fired up for this one, as it's as important a game as they're going to play this season.
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The pole didn't bother showing up just like the team
I had a feeling we would lose but not like this. All the heaping praise we got today just seemed like a bad omen. The saving grace was that it wasn’t on FSFlorida or we would’ve seen the turd on the ice in HD.
Fish, Heatles, Cats, Fins, Noles
by National Mario on Feb 15, 2012 10:35 PM EST via mobile reply actions
I saw the game in person
thanks to a ticket offer from one of the commenters. Loved getting to watch a game in person, hated the result.
by Bill Jempty on Feb 15, 2012 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
Put this one in the past.
It’s over and nothing can be done about it now.
Friday just got huge. Theo has to get the start.
The Panthers are putting Tomas Kopecky in front on the powerplay regularly now, and you gotta wonder why he hasn’t been there all along. He was peeing in Anderson’s cheerios every time he was out there, not only by getting in the way but by hacking at the puck so Andy couldn’t get a clean cover with the glove.
Priceless description.
My 1st star of the game- no television to see this utterly pathetic game.
I found it eerie that at least 3 of the Sens goals were tweeted to me at the same time someone in the UFC fights was getting KO’d.
Worst Star- I forgot to change my line up on my fantasy team and left 2 Panthers out- IT HELPED!
If Redline is a sponsor I cannot for any reason understand how these guys come out mentally delayed at the start of important games.
I hereby predict Captain Mike Weaver #43 will score 6G 20A -RCR 0G13A 2/13
Be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, always do your best...
To be fair, that redline is pretty terrible so I can see why they’d skip out on it.
Only reason I drink it at the games is to mingle with the girls with the shiny short shorts ;)
by milhouse on Feb 16, 2012 8:22 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Something needs to be done...
I know it’s been a complaint for a long time, but something absolutely must be done about the attendance at the BankAtlantic Center.
This team is competing fairly well (Keep in mind that even though we took a beating last night, we only trail the Sens by 3 points and have FOUR games-in-hand), and the home record is actually 12th best in the league…
WHY then are we continuing to see embarrassingly small crowds in our building? What is going on at SSE that they aren’t doing a better job of filling the place up? They can hide behind the utterly false and over-inflated “official” attendance numbers, but anyone who was at that game last night KNOWS that there was not even close to the announced number of 14,038. I’d venture to guess that there were MAYBE 9,000 people watching that hockey game.
While some may argue that it doesn’t matter because those seats were actually SOLD, I say it matters immensely. For every empty seat, the Panthers are losing out on secondary revenue streams, and creating a nuisance for their diehard fans who have to listen to the razzing of fans from around the league about the abysmal attendance in our building.
Someone over there NEEDS to get creative, and do it in a hurry. Club Red is NOT the answer and is only going to add to the woes. Someone needs to step up and go to the sponsors who receive lower bowl seats in bulk (but refuse to use them) and tell them that they either use the tickets or lose them. It’s imperative that SSE begin putting butts in the seats. Not only does it look horrible on TV, but the lack of people in the building also affects the sales of concessions in a major way. Even if they went out and gave the tickets away, they would at least have an opportunity to capture SOME money from the secondary revenue stream… Heck, I’ll even VOLUNTEER my time to write the letter that goes out to the people who aren’t using the tickets they receive for being a sponsor. I have taken a photograph across the rink each and every night this season. I KNOW which seats are empty (and believe me, so does the organization). Go to those people and tell them enough is enough.
By the way, speaking of Club Red: I was in NJ on Saturday to watch the Panthers beat the Devils. The Prudential Center (where the Devils and Nets play) has TWO “Club Red” type clubs (one on either side of center ice), that are composed of the center three sections in the lower bowl just like “Club Red” is going to in our building… The fans of the Devils absolutely HATE these clubs. They take up the very best seats in the house and are ALWAYS nearly empty… I have to wonder from where the idea for Club Red at the BAC came… Wait, who runs the NJ Nets? What is the connection between the NJ Nets and the Florida Panthers? (Here is a photo I took of one of the dreadful clubs in the Prudential Center) 
I’ve continually heard that once the Panthers make the playoffs, the building will be full. I have to ask, does anyone really believe that? I’m telling you point-blank that I think it’s a crock of BS. I predict that the only way the playoffs will bring capacity crowds is if our opponents take advantage and start sending busloads of their fans to Sunrise.
I don’t know what the answer is to the problem, but then again, I’m not being paid a handsome sum to be in charge of it. Whoever is, needs to be called on the carpet NOW. Enough is enough.
VanMurph, I so appreciate your passion!!
The biggest hurdle the Arena has to deal with is the lack of customer service/appreciation. Each time I go to a game or run into someone who is curious about the Panthers playing well, they have a distaste for how they have been treated as STH or 1/2 or even just how they were treated at a game. The way in which MY has handled the playoff ticket purchase offended more STH. If we want a full arena it has to be a combination of good sales service, the team has to win and hit the playoffs and fair market price for FLORIDA. I don’t care what other arena’s get for tix etc. There has to be a feel for what the average family can afford to include in their budget.
I hereby predict Captain Mike Weaver #43 will score 6G 20A -RCR 0G13A 2/13
Be impeccable with your word, don't take anything personally, don't make assumptions, always do your best...
Good customer service should always be the first step in any plan. And also an appreciation for the fact that there are surely a bunch of people like me and most of my friends who go to games who are driving at least an hour to get to the middle of nowhere for the games. Sure, SSE isn’t seeing that money, but it figures into what I’m willing to spend on tickets/food, especially now that they’re going to charge for parking.
How about Ellerby, Santorelli, a draft pick or prospect and why not throw in like madden or barch for Hossa!
This is why I’m not a STH this season. I’ve been contacted a few times by various club representatives about renewing and when I tell them why I didn’t renew I mysteriously stop hearing from them.
"Shut up, Pierre!" -Everyone
Litter Box Cats - Your Panthers Colossus.
No argument with any of this, Murphy.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Feb 16, 2012 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
Don’t forget the Rah Rah stuff. No mouse graphics on the big screen, if you can even call it the " big screen." A different Blue Oyster Cult Cowbell song to go with the video. The still horrendous in house announcer. A different version of the “GOAL” music track. The most excitement created in house is T shirt toss. Down to about 8 T shirts last night. An organ player that really doesn’t quite fit the rhythm of the game. Almost all graphics are related to advertising to the expense of any replays. Religious themes entering the game intermissions and throughout the organization. Sometimes I wonder if I am at a religious institution or a Hockey game. All this stuff with MY’s slant on it. And finally CLUB RED. A spike in the Heart of STH’s. Getting very hard to be excited anymore and I am sure the team feels it also. Wake up Cliff Viner! Dump MY now like Tampa did before it is too late.
Signed S 102 R18.
I’ve continually heard that once the Panthers make the playoffs, the building will be full. I have to ask, does anyone really believe that? I’m telling you point-blank that I think it’s a crock of BS. I predict that the only way the playoffs will bring capacity crowds is if our opponents take advantage and start sending busloads of their fans to Sunrise.
The Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2009 playoffs (team’s only playoff appearance) had attendance of 19,219 and 18,889 in game 3 and 4. The Nationwide Arena officially seats 18,144 for ice hockey.
by Alexander Calloway on Feb 16, 2012 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah I don’t see Club Red becoming a celebrity hotspot unless this team is a perennial Cup contender and attract J-Lo and crew. The Brooklyn Nets only cause of their Russian billionaire owner and Jay-Z and being basketball in the NY area. The Florida Panthers seem to lack identity as far as a team spirit. The Dolphins have their own, the Heat do, and the Marlins sort of do (that’s another story) and hopefully will solidify this year but the Panthers just seem like a soul is missing in half the organization. The hockey side has the first half and is finally developing itself into something respectable but the other side’s soul seems to have been sold to Redline and Jetblue.
Fish, Heatles, Cats, Fins, Noles
by National Mario on Feb 16, 2012 5:49 PM EST up reply actions
I’m a former STH who stopped buying after Dudley got fired. I knew then where this team was goin, and have protested with my wallet ever since. I used to go to a few games after the lockout, when you could get free tickets with Ticketmaster that pissed off the STH, but I wasn’t paying money to people I knew then were in it for the control of the arena and not winning a Cup. Its the thievery of taxpayer money now that keeps me away from this team. They get enough money from me in county taxes, that I don’t have a choice where its spent, and its not usually spent on something for me to enjoy in regards to arena upgrades. So when I want a live hockey experience, I’ll drive to Tampa and go with friends, I’ll drive to Estero with friends, and starting next season, I’ll drive to Orlando and watch with friends. But until the organization starts sharing revenues with the county 50%-50% without a minimum amount of profit needed to split the monies, I won’t go to another Panther game.
I’m a diehard hockey fan. I love what was the history of my Panther team (record points for expansion team, fastest to the Stanley Cup), I respect and cheer (even tho many think I’m too negative) my hometown team. I have probably 50 hats among other merchandise I have bought before the lockout through the years. But Cohen, Keenan, Martin, and Yormack have made a mockery of this franchise and my only true way of protesting is with my wallet. I’d rather travel to Edmonton on a record setting cold day to see the Panthers play, than give these asshats my money.
by MrOmnipotent on Feb 16, 2012 8:56 PM EST up reply actions
Mind you, my views are MUCH different than the average South Florida resident, as most have no clue of the inner workings of the organization like many here do. They don’t know about the stealing of county money every year except for opening year. They don’t know its one of the busiest arenas in the nation. And they honestly don’t know about how they’re trying to cater to the wealthy. In some ways, I understand catering to the wealthy, as Miami is one of the wealthiest cities in the world, but it also has one of the largest disproportionate wealthy to poverty ratios, and there’s a lot more living around the poverty line or just above it, than are wealthy.
by MrOmnipotent on Feb 16, 2012 9:02 PM EST up reply actions
What if they did a student rush thing like the lightning? They sell best available at the lowest ticket prices to anyone with student id 15 minutes before game time. It may not make them as much money but it would fill the place up no?
by sbarbera on Feb 16, 2012 9:11 AM EST via Android app reply actions
Too far away from any schools?
I’m putting here for reflection later on in the season…. #14 Tomas [Fleischmann] is getting a 40G season. FLASH COUNT: 18G/24A
by RPC on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM MDT
Find me on Twidduh And look at my Marmots
by Chris S Roberts on Feb 16, 2012 9:14 PM EST up reply actions
That’s a crock if you ask me. Too many kids down here have cars, that are in college. They just don’t care. Hell FIU alone is among the top 20 schools for their female students hookin up with MUCH older men through some website. Hear this this morning on Power 96, trolling the radio dial..
There is a website called seekingarrangement.com that is kind of like a DATING site. However, THIS one is different…this site sets up OLDER FINANCIALLY ESTABLISHED MEN with YOUNG BEAUTIFUL GIRLS (usually college age). FIU ranked 20th in a list of the top universities with “sugar baby” sign ups!
A lot of south Florida universities are transient universities. Hockey is just not their first priorities.
by MrOmnipotent on Feb 16, 2012 9:20 PM EST up reply actions
Uh, having been at FIU for undergrad, I can promise you that the BAC is generally way further than any of us want to drive and it has nothing to do with a lack of interest in hockey. My friends were always down to go to a game, but when you’re spending almost as long in the car (45 minutes each way for me and most of the people I know live further away than my mom’s house) as you are at the actual game, it’s not something you want to do often, especially when you’re going to end up watching your team lose and getting heckled by fans of the visiting team for caring.
As I said, they just don’t care. Maybe its a level of caring, but its evidently not enough. There are a lot of Panther fans from Palm Beach county who spend an hour or more in the car driving to games regularly, and another hour or so home.
by MrOmnipotent on Feb 17, 2012 8:31 AM EST up reply actions
What does that have to do with anything?
I’m putting here for reflection later on in the season…. #14 Tomas [Fleischmann] is getting a 40G season. FLASH COUNT: 18G/24A
by RPC on Sep 17, 2011 5:20 PM MDT
Find me on Twidduh And look at my Marmots
by Chris S Roberts on Feb 17, 2012 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t know why the crowds aren’t a little better but making the playoffs not just this year but going forward on a consistent basis is going to be the main driver for attendance imo. Yes, the team is better this year but until it makes the playoffs it’s still the team that has missed ten seasons in a row to the casual sports fan. Now will that solve the problem completely.. no but it will help. So would adding a superstar player. Maybe that’s Huberdeau in a couple years or maybe they need to be bring in a big time star like they did with Bure to help fill the seats.
I like your idea about making the sponsors answer for the unused tickets. They really should find a way to get these tickets to people who would go and at least spend money on concessions. God forbid maybe those people would like the experience so much they would pay to come back and see it again. The marketing of the team needs to be better and apparently so does the customer service. They also need to find a way to improve the coverage they get in the local media. It’s terrible and it doesn’t help that most of the guys doing these sports talk shows know so little hockey that’s it’s embarrassing when they even bother to talk about it.
114 days until Prometheus
by Todd Little on Feb 16, 2012 9:16 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
If our media paid a little bit more attention and gave us the free publicity it gives the other sports in the area maybe we could start having people come back. You watch the LOCAL news during sports and the talk about the Heat like they are a gods (Highlights of practice), followed by the phins (Interviewing someone), Jeremy Lin (New York Knicks player) (Showing his highlights and a oh by the way the Panthers won 4-1 agains the Islanders (No Highlights) and then have a good night.
A lil thunder and a lil lightning is what the Cats are going to bring this year.
I honestly believe, making the playoffs, getting tv news to acknowledge the team, or better marketing will not help this team. They’ve developed too much bad blood in a city that culturally is not a hockey one. Are the Dolphins still the ONLY NFL to NOT sell out a playoff game? And they did it twice. The Heat are successful, not because of Lebron or Wade when it comes to people. Its because guys like Hardaway and Mourning spent a lot of time in the community, giving to the community, even when things weren’t so bright. The original Panthers were out in the community, not doing public relations charity work, but just going out and mingling with the community. But those guys would go out drinkin and hang out with the population. I know, as I was often at the places they were drinking. Neidermaier dated a girl I went to school with. Fitzgerald, Foligno, and Severyn came out and played roller hockey with me and my buddies after playing 18 with a ticket rep who lived in the neighborhood (Bunch of 20 and 30 yr old men destroying a community’s tennis court went over well back then).
Only way this team is going to build its fanbase again is to have guys out at local parks, playing with the kids, and not at staged events. Giving free tickets to schools as rewards for kids who make the A honor roll, instead of a stupid bumper sticker. Maybe gettin someone like Weiss, who has been part of this community, starting a charity of his own like Zo did, that’s not part of the Panthers. Donating money to schools to build more hockey related sports projects. Give them sticks and nets for playing street hockey. I loved that when I was in middle school, and that was in the early 80’s in North broward.
by MrOmnipotent on Feb 16, 2012 9:16 PM EST up reply actions
back to the game
This game reminded me of the last Lightning game. Tied at 1 after the first then a complete meltdown out of nowhere.
Not sure why the guys can’t bring it more often. Not expecting them to win every time out but there is no excuse for a game like this (at home to boot) a little over week after they pulled the same shite in Tampa and Washington.
114 days until Prometheus
Where we live is fortunate for us all. Unfortunately it is not for a weeknight Sens game. In a rough economy and so many choices for your entertainment dollars, should be no surprise at that turnout. Even the Heat have trouble filling up for regular season weeknight games. Add in 11 straight years of nothing but failure its easier to understand why our cast of die hards is still to few.
Where I have to disagree with you VM is on the playoffs. So.Fla. is the biggest, if there ever was, bandwagon jumping town in the land. When it comes to playoffs, everyone wants in.
The future is obviously bright. Youngsters will soon find more interest in hockey. The roller leagues that once flourished in the ’90’s will return again. Interest will grow and we’ll see more for that weeknight game but don’t expect a full crowd. This is not Winnipeg where there’s nothing else to do.
I just think we should all be so thankful that Dale came in. Even more that he instantly iced a team we finally can enjoy!!
CFS93
by chesterbardo on Feb 16, 2012 9:28 AM EST via Android app reply actions 1 recs
Panther second goal was:
Sean Bergenheim (12) (Brian Campbell, Tomas Fleischmann)
113 days until Prometheus
Thx, Todd. It was a late change; corrected.
Litter Box Cats - Your tarp-free Florida Panthers Colossus
by Donny Rivette on Feb 16, 2012 11:13 AM EST up reply actions
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