After The Storm
The Carolina Hurricanes huffed and puffed, but could not bluster the resurgent Panthers. They weathered the initial storm and came away with a very respectable point – all things considered.
Seen over the entire game the Florida Panthers must be content to get a point from a very difficult away tie. But, it could of course so easily have been two points. Joe Corvo turned out to be the difference in OT. He deked David Booth, who seemed more interested in retrieving his stick than checking his man, and also pulled Vokoun out of goal before slotting coolly in to the unprotected net. While a great attacking move, from a guy brimming with confidence after two straight game winners, it was also a rare Panther lapse in defense.
In the first period it looked unlikely Panthers would come away with any points at all from this tough derby game. Rather than coming out fighting they came out fouling (or at least the officials were quick to find anything that might resemble a Panther penalty), putting themselves on the back foot from get go. The Hurricanes were gifted control and three power play opportunities in the first period alone. While showing a good box play, in the end the pressure got too great and Justin Williams scored for the Canes.
With Booth, Horton and Zednik back in the line-up and Cory Stillman still rusty from his injury, it was perhaps in retrospect inevitable that the Panthers would struggle early on in the game. As the game progressed however, they got more up to speed and could start contributing. With Anderson having played most games recently, Tomas Vokoun would perhaps have been forgiven if he looked a bit stiff early on, but to his credit he kept the Cats alive through that first turbulent period. Claiming several nice saves from a virtual Carolina bombardment, Vokoun emerged with confidence intact. After the game Head Coach Peter De Boer commented:
“I felt we got better as the game went on,” DeBoer said. “We figured it out after the first period. We simplified our game. We stayed out of the penalty box. We gave ourselves a chance.”
Indeed, Panthers started to cross the Hurricane blue line in the second period and, perhaps motivated by De Boer’s reshuffling of lines, they looked like a much more potent side. The second period evened out the game play somewhat, but it was in the third period that the Cats really got their claws into the Carolina hosts.
Stillman found himself in the box for a penalty only the officials could see early in the third, but once he stepped out of the penalty box, Kamil Kreps stuck the puck to his stick and Cory Stillman was off toward the net. The former Hurricane made no mistake on the breakaway, finding a five hole only he could see, beating Cam Ward who could not stop his backward momentum from carrying both him and the puck over the line. A crucial goal. It electrified the Panther players and they always looked in control and more likely to score from that point.
That would of course change, with less than one minute left of OT, Corvo scored his magic goal to the delight of the crowd at the RBC Center in Raleigh, NC. Panthers head home with a respectable point and can now finally play a game back at Sunrise. The road trip ended 3-1-1, a very good result and something to give further hope to fans and players alike.
The Christmas period games will now be crucial in determining how Panthers enter the New Year; full of confidence – chasing a playoff spot, or, scrambling to once again get back on track. Important games indeed! Next up is Colorado Avs on Sunday at the Bank Atlantic Center… Who else can’t wait!?
The Christmas period games will now be crucial in determining how Panthers enter the New Year; full of confidence – chasing a playoff spot, or, scrambling to once again get back on track. Important games indeed! Next up is Colorado Avs on Sunday at the Bank Atlantic Center… Who else can’t wait!?
Indeed, what an exciting game it was to watch. First, attempting to see what the refs were calling penalties. Then, of course, Horton struggling to stay in the game. But mostly, watching the Panthers play like the old (losing) team they once were … and that is exactly what it felt like to me during that first period – the Panthers team that loses games in lack of confidence and teamplay.
However, I was very happy to be proven wrong once they picked up their game late in the 2nd period, coming back strong in the 3rd to winning a well deserved point!