Roblogg’s Panthers Portal

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.

Panthers did well to shutout the former Avalanche nemesis this Sunday. The first win against the franchise since re-locating to Colorado on home ice in Sunrise was a reality – after three unanswered goals. In fact the Floridians dominated much of the game and it wasn’t until late in the match that the Avs made the statistics look more presentable than they really were. This game was Panther’s.

After Brett McLean finally ended his extended goal drought, against his former employer no less, Colorado never looked like they’d get anything from this game. Whilst creating some chances in the third period, Tomas Vokoun closed up shop and showed his goalkeeping skills when put to the test.

Almost of more interest, than the actual game at times, was the appalling standard of refereeing. Like so many times before the Floridians seemed to be at the receiving end of a plentitude of dubious calls. Was starting to think this only happened to Panthers or, more likely, I was so biased I could not see things straight. Then I saw what the officials did to poor Smith in the Lightning goal – in Colorado’s previous Florida fixture. Poor guy, he made a fantastically acrobatic penalty save, only to incredulously see the officials claiming (quite incorrectly as the replays clearly showed) that he threw his stick at the Colorado shooter. It was a game changing decision and Tampa lost a point due to the ref’s negligence. While Lightning sorrow may be no skin off this Cats’ nose, it does seem to me that the officials don’t like giving anyone from Florida the benefit of doubt…

Back to my point and the game at hand. Several bad calls were followed by an appalling decision from the officials. Keith Ballard made a clean bodycheck on a Colorado player. For his clean tackling effort he gets hit from the Colorado bench, yes the bench – talk about cheap shot, and from Adam Foote who put the latter where his mouth should be and pounded on Ballard. And it was not for the first time in the game either. The officials decided that bodychecks, despite what the rules say to the contrary, no longer were allowed and put poor Keith in the penalty box for two minor penalties.

When officials don’t use the actual rules of the game and start improvising their own; there seems to be something very wrong going on. And, no figure, Panthers were on the receiving end of this refereeing atrocity. Probably not for the last time either.

Still, despite the officials’ best efforts to the contrary; the Cats came away with two important points. The Western influx now continues with a rare visit from Nashville tonight.

After two solid games in goal, Vokoun will surely be up for this game against his former team. Meanwhile Jassen Cullimore rests a knock to his hand and Noah Welch steps in to the fray. Anthony Steward will replace Tarnasky in the line. No doubt a blow to Nick who until very recently was a Predator player himself and surely would like the chance to show his metal to the former employers. His trading partner Wade Belak, will be back in town, and the Cats will do best to tread lightly around the big man. You would assume he has a point to prove as the Panthers upturn coincided with his trade away from the club.

The greatest threat this time around, comes however from within. Looking forward to a two day Christmas holiday mini-break, there is a risk the Florida players may not be 100% focused. If so, Coach De Boer will no doubt be quick to point out their duties to them in no uncertain terms. He is never afraid to shake things up; as he has shown repeatedly so far in to the season with great effect. Panthers have fought themselves back in to contention and must keep the pressure on Carolina, Washington and the others in the division, and the conference, for that all-important playoff spot. The Christmas goodies will no doubt be much sweeter if Panther pick the cherries on offering tonight…

Here’s for warm holiday wishes – in Sunrise tonight!