Roblogg’s Panthers Portal

Tomas Vokoun is arguably in the best form so far of his early Panthers career; having one solid performance after another. Coming off a 4th shutout win of the season, against Carolina, he had an equally adept goalie on the other side of the ice yesterday; in the form of Ny Rangers Henrik Lundqvist.

It quickly become apparent that these two goaltenders were going to have a private battle in this game; one trying to out-do the other with plentiful and brilliant saves. It was a forwards nightmare as the netminders wouldn’t give them any opening to aim at.

The contest itself was a very tight affair, as could be expected between two teams that puts its defense first and has had a lot of success in doing so. Yet there was also plenty of open play and the puck was continuously being hauled back and forth in search of those elusive goal scoring chances which both sets of forwards were craving. Both teams also had sustained spells of pressure in one-another’s zones – cranking off hopeful shots that the goaltenders easily snapped out of the air.

It was the visitors that finally could draw first blood when Fredrik Sjöström had a shot that squeaked in behind Vokoun, after the Rangers players had been left alone to jab at him from within the crease. Both Tomas and the puck were in the end knocked over the line. It wasn’t pretty, but the Rangers seldomly care about cosmetics and were happy just to be on the board.

The New Yorkers go-ahead goal came late in the first period and early in the second period the Panthers had leveled affairs. Michael Frolik scored again, this time picking up the puck from a nice feed from behind the net by Stillman. Frolik turned around and snapped his shot along the ice – beating Lundqvist between the pads.

The goal electrified an otherwise subdued crowd and the rest of the game became a thrilling hunt for what everyone more or less understood would be the winning goal; seeing as how well the two goaltenders were playing. In the third period Vokoun and Lundqvist exchanged saves and the contest went first to overtime and then the shootouts.

The Florida Panthers have not done well in shootouts this year and were now facing the best team in the NHL in this respect. Much of the Rangers success is due to Lundqvist, who stopped the first three Panther shooters; Stillman, Horton and Weiss. He could however not stop the red-hot Richard Zednik who scored on Florida’s fourth attempt. Tomas Vokoun meanwhile did his job more than well and fended off all four Ranger shooters: The Cats won a shootout!!

Credit must go to Vokoun for the victory, but everyone on the team played well and matched the Rangers line-for-line; despite playing that crucial game away to Carolina just the night before.

Now follows a day’s well earned rest and then the Washington Capitals come to town for another match-up. It will be a very tough game for the Panthers, but one I think everyone now believes we can win if we just get a couple of pucks bouncing our way – and not in the Caps direction – as in the previous meeting a week ago today.

So this is how fifth heaven looks like?

(Hey, if there is a seventh tier there must be a fifth – if logic were to prevail, right?)

We the southernmost hockey-fans in the land have not been spoiled rotten with hockey success, rather starved and left wanting, and so we will take all the more in pleasure in this triumph against our perennial rivals…

5-0! Say it again: Florida = a high flying five; Carolina = none, zip, zilch, zero, nil, nought, nothing – null and void *leave empty space here* not even one – shutout in their own house!!!!! Taste it, savor the flavor of sweet victory; and in Carolina nonetheless… If all Hurricanes were as friendly as the one we met in Raleigh yesterday… By all means, take me for a spin around the North Carolinian wilderness anytime – blow me away!

OK… exhale – take a few deep breaths – a moment of sanity is needed to recollect just how this stunning victory came about in the first place…

The game started in an open fashion with both teams circling around one-another looking for an opening. The Panthers were the first to find a gap in the first period as a joint two-way forecheck by Horton and Booth presented the puck to Ballard, who confidently stepped in from the slot, feigned the slapshot and fed the puck to Horton – who in turn was presented with an alluringly amount of empty net to aim at – and he made no mistake.

That was, believe it or not, the winning goal – after a mere 7 ½ minutes played of the game…

Minutes later a similar forechecking move by the same line presented Richard Zednik, stepping in un-marked from the line, with an excellent opportunity to give Florida a 2-0 lead. Cam Ward made the first save on Zednik’s shot, but Richard got the puck right back to him and jammed in home on the second time trying. Both goals were a real testament to coach Pete DeBoer’s tactics and how they can yield results if the forwards keep playing aggressively in the opponent’s zone; maintain high pressure on the defenders and in-so-doing create turnovers around the boards.

Yet, this was no walk-over. Carolina stood their ground well and over the course of the game had no less than 42 shots on goal. Several of those were qualified chances and a couple were open netters. The difference between the teams was first and foremost the goaltending.

Cam Ward was replaced by Michael Leighton half way through the contest after letting in four goals on thirteen shots. This while Tomas Vokoun continued his outstanding form by fending off any and every shot directed at him with poise and composure. He never looked rattled and the defenders were always there to dispose of any loose pucks around the crease. A special mentioning in that respect must go to Karlis Skrastins, who acts as the proverbial broom; sweeping up goal-bound shots and rebounds – as if he’s somehow magnetic and all pucks want nothing else then to come to the Latvian iron-man.

What really punctured Carolina and any lingering hopes of a comeback was however Anthony Stewart. He’s been playing with so much energy of late that you just couldn’t help but think a puck must finally bounce his way – and in goal. This, at long last, happened in the second period as two Carolina players collided; presenting Stewart with an open pond to skate in to – and to everyone’s collective surprise he scored a beautifully cheeky goal in Ward’s considerably wide five-hole. And you just knew that when Anthony scores it’s one of those days of Midas when everything you touch turns in to gold – and in this case – goals.

Prior to Stewart’s three-nothing goal, the Hurricanes had had a couple of power-play opportunities and were swirling around Vokoun’s net in search for a way back. The goal therefore came at a very opportune moment and you could see the Carolina players literally fold after Anthony’s rare moment of glory. The mental collapse was quickly exposed as the Panthers scored again – barely 12 seconds later. It was suitably the CPR line that put the game to bed after Gregory Campbell scored in rapid succession of Stewart’s deflating goal. A despondent Cam Ward was now withdrawn from the game in favor of back-up Michael Leighton.

Further gloss to the scoreline came only minutes later as Michael Frolik, who has been going through a dry spell of late, pounced on a ricochet from a rapid Kamil Kreps strike, which hit the cross-bar and bounced straight to Michael. Frolik had his stick on the ice and reacted quickly to put the puck away behind Leighton in goal.

After this 5-0 goal it was merely a question of waiting for the game to end for both teams. Carolina were frustrated and no one more than Eric Staal who took a couple of stupid penalties in the third. However, by this point any lingering hopes the home team may have had earlier in the game, of getting a share of the spoils, were long gone anyway.

While Vokoun was the obvious match-winner with his shutout, this was truly a team victory for the Panthers. The defenders ably dealt with any rebounds and kept the Hurricanes forwards at bay. The Florida forwards meanwhile, had a lot of success with its aggressive forecheck and especially the first line of Booth – Horton – Zednik showed how it can be used to full effect in those first two goals. The fourth line has been playing very well and with a lot of energy for quite some time now and has finally started to get rewarded for all that hard work. Frolik got out of his recent slump with a goal and the CPR-line (Peltonen – Campbell – Dvorak) can always be counted on; both for defensive solidity and forward production. The penalty kill was also of the highest order yet again.

If the Florida Panthers can keep their focus and play the way they did yesterday; making the playoffs doesn’t look all that intimidating anymore. However, it’s important we stay a bit grounded nonetheless – a very tough schedule is coming up with no less than 9 (!) consecutive games against teams currently above us in the standings. It will be a stern test of the Cats resolve coming up; starting later today with a home tie with the New York Rangers.

It’s dangerous to speculate or look forward too much, but imagine if we can beat the Rangers tonight… That would take us to within one point of NY – currently in fifth spot of the Eastern Conference. Now isn’t that a remarkable change of fortunes for a team that was dead last in the league just a couple of months ago!

It does put in to perspective just what head coach Pete DeBoer has actually managed to do with, what on paper looks like, a rather modest set of players and inherent skill within the squad. Yet, we can’t let up now. The Panthers need to dig even deeper to get through this upcoming set of games victoriously. And now it’s truly time for the people of South Florida to start rallying behind this club: The players are working their hearts out, but will need that seventh player more than ever as we enter a very tricky six game home stretch, starting today.

We can all make a difference and sound our support to the players on the ice doing the deeds. It’s time all South Floridians woke up and took notice of the heroics being done here; got in to the action laded thrills and spills of hockey and once again embraced the Panthers.

I for one will be at the Bank Atlantic Center tonight, cheering for the Cats in thick and thin: Where will you be?

There was a widespread fear that the Panthers would repeat what they’ve done previously this season, when returning from a break. Both after the Christmas holiday and the recent five day January rest, the Florida team looked sluggish at times when getting back on the skates. There would be no repeat performance this time.

With the holidays and breaks now firmly behind them, the Cats can focus all their energy on the playoff race – that now truly has started for all clubs involved. No team was quicker out of the gates than the Sabres though; who went to Edmonton and slicked the Oilers 10-2(!). The Hurricanes looked more like a placid winter breeze as they stumbled to the NY Rangers, 2-3. This left that eighth spot unguarded and a Florida victory would see us reclaim what we hope to be ours for the taking.

In the Bank Atlantic Center the Panthers hosted the Philadelphia Flyers and everyone knew this would be a real test of character for the Cats. And that it was.

The ‘war room’ in Toronto awarded the first goal to the Flyers after Gagne had clearly kicked the puck over the line. Florida was shaken by this shock decision, but the players vied for vengeance, and the bearer of Philly calamity was Bryan McCabe. He slotted home a wristshot through Flyer legs – in to Martin Biron’s wide open left side. The goal was orchestrated by Cory Stillman, who made the play to set up McCabe. The second helper was awarded to rookie Michael Frolik and in the mid-period it would all be about this Young Star par excellence.

Whatever it was he picked up in Montreal, whether it be advice from elders or bundles of confidence, it sure came to the fore in this game. The Panthers got the go-ahead goal at 7.43 in that second period thanks to Frolik taking coach DeBoer’s words to heart. After the game he revealed that the coaches constantly tell the player to take the puck to the net and shoot; which is exactly what Michael did. From behind the net he brought out the puck and tried to slide it in at Biron’s near goalpost. It appeared that Martin had all angles covered, but the puck hit the backend of a stick and nestled its way in at the near post – much to Biron’s astonishment and chagrin.

Florida weren’t done there though as Philadelphia was starting to feel the heat. Taking one penalty after another it appeared only to be a matter of time before the Panthers would finally get a power-play goal. This is exactly what did happen. On a four minute man-advantage David Booth redirected a point shot from Keith Ballard to record his 20th goal of the season and a two goal cushion for the Cats.

It appeared the Panthers catnapped at times in the third, allowing Claude Giroux to score his first NHL goal on a breakaway, after only 1.51 of that period played.

Nervous times ensued, but while the team clearly was at the breaking point a couple of times in the third – they never did snap and held out for both points of the contest. No doubt with some help from the officials who sent Kimmo Timonen to the box for an interference penalty; rather than allowing the Flyers the equalizing goal they scored on the subsequent play. Slightly iffy call, must grudgingly be admitted, but considering Philadelphia had already been awarded a wrongfully adjudged goal in the first period – who could help but feel this was poetic justice in the making.

Despite being outshot 12-4 in the third and the Flyers having a 6on4 man-advantage for the last minute of the game, Florida came out on top with a hard-fought and well-deserved victory. That elusive eighth spot in the Conference is ours and Canadiens beware; Panthers have got a taste of blood and crave more!

The title of this blog could equally be true about the Florida Panthers and Michael Frolik respectively. At the beginning of the season both looked timid, taken by the moment and searching for chemistry. All that apprehensiveness made points seem elusive and hard to come by. But, there are no great secrets to a successful formula. In fact Coach Pete DeBoer has been preaching simplicity from day one – and now we all can see why.

Being more straightforward in approach, has helped Frolik and his team mates to find a winning mentality. The gentle, and sometimes not so gentle, pressure from the coaching staff on the players – has helped bring out the best of them. They play with desperation, as Florida commentator and expert Denis Potvin keenly stresses in his post-match analysis. With the mantra of accountability echoing through the inner chambers of the Panthers dressing room; the message has been " no one is immune". No one is above working hard for the cause of the team. Tactically the team also utilizes an unfussy dump and chase mindset. Not to say there is no room for individualism and skill; but the team comes first.

Whilst Florida employs this tactic partly out of necessity, because they lack the big skilful playmaking stars (after the Jokinen trade) or the tricky speedster – Ovechkin type – winger, and partly because it is proven to give good results if only the effort and energy is there. Night in and night out, this is what the Panthers have started to bring to the table; grit and determination, we’ve become a difficult team to beat (just ask the Sharks). And, after all, as DeBoer was quick to point out early on in the season: "We are in the business of winning Hockey games" and winning they are.

However, there is more than just grit and energy in the Florida roster, there is also some undoubted talent on display at Sunrise. A rising star among them is Michael Frolik. Yesterday he was again at the forefront of action, becoming the hero after scoring two goals, helping the Panthers to another 3-0 win – this time against the Nashville Predators.

"He’s been good for a long time, but he was outstanding today," DeBoer said abot Frolik’s performance in the game. "He ended up with (nine) shots on net. I’m a believer. He’s gotten better and better." Indeed he has. Michael himself said after a solid Colorado game last Sunday: "I feel comfortable. Every day it’s getting better and better, especially if you win and you’re getting good ice time." [Quotes from panthers.nhl.com]

Frolik has been a stand-out player of late, getting 11 points in the last 10 games. Certainly contributing much to the Panther’s resurgent December form. Having been placed in the Center position the last few games, one might be excused if expecting Frolik to struggle initially to find his bearings, but this has not been the case. It seems the transition to either right or left wing, or in to the center is a seamless one for the youngster. If nothing else this is a testament to the bright talent that is Michael Frolik. It takes natural hockey instincts to be able to move so freely and unhindered between positions and Michael just seems to be growing in confidence with every minute on the ice: Yesterday’s game was just the icing on the proverbial Christmas cake for him.

Another Panther who will undoubtedly have a merry Christmas is Tomas Vokoun. Having stood in the shadow of Anderson, much of the early going, he’s now back with a vengeance. One of the first to feel the wrath of Vokoun was his old club Nashville. Tomas was outstanding when put to the test and blanked out the, at times, circling Predators. The pressure is now back on Anderson to buckle down, work hard on his game, and try to push Tomas for the starting nod. While Vokoun keeps shutting down teams, it will of course be a struggle, but a good team needs two combative goalies and so far the Florida Panthers have been opulently blessed on this front.

The Nashville win was a fantastic way to wrap up some much needed Christmas joy to fans and players alike. Before the game the Panther spotlight was on keeping focused for 60 minutes. Forget about Christmas, at least for the moment. And boy did the Cats do just that!

The first period was played in a blazing offensive tempo from both teams and the supreme surprise was that it was still 0-0 come the interval. DeBoer wasn’t quite happy with the defensive play and the many break-outs. Going in to the second period he got everyone to click both offensively and defensively. Not least Frolik. A blistering Panther period was highlighted by a fantastic side stepping goal by Michael. The seemingly invincible Pekka Rinne, in the Nashville goal, was finally forced to surrender. And once he let in one goal, the second one never looked far off. In the end it was Stillman who shuffled in a Zednik feed late on in the third period, effectively ending the contest. Frolik couldn’t help but help himself to a second goal in the dying embers of the game (in an open net this time), adding a glossy feel to the yuletide score.

The Panther’s players fully deserve whatever is under their respective Christmas trees, but the best present of all – they gave themselves; a steady influx of points and a clear shot at the playoffs. Keep improving and there is no need for the festivities to end any time soon.