SB Nation User Blog: Whale4ever

Weiss, Vokoun lead Panthers to physical victory on road, smack Flyers 4-1

Whale4ever — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:47:25 -0000

about 4 hours ago: Philadelphia Flyers' Daniel Carcillo (13) is sent flying after being checked by Florida Panthers' Jason Garrison (52) and Mike Duco (68) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Dec. 21, 2009, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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Points aplenty by the end of this one: Stephen Weiss (career-high 4 points), Michael Frolik (3), and Nathan Horton (2 goals) led the Florida offense over a confused and mentally battered Flyers club which displayed neither a semblance of confidence nor a peek at the realistic talent which is being paid top dollar.

Yes, the game got physical, as ~~hoped for~~ expected: Gregory Campbell and Ian Laperriere with fighting majors just 1:48 in, captains Bryan McCabe and Mike Richards at 3:42, and Mike Duco taking on a rather spry Laperriere at 13:26. Of the first period.

It settled down, however, as both teams gained - or lost - their legs in front of 19,323 paying patrons: a two-goal Florida lead going into the third frame was expanded upon (rather quickly) as the Cats banged in another duo within the opening six minutes.

Bottom Line: Panthers kept cool, resilient, and open to adjustment (rumors say that's what winning teams do) on a strange, bizarre evening. So much was expected: defending the honor of ~~Charlestown~~ Sunrise is never a short order, but this bunch made it look good (Laperriere's 30 minutes in penalties didn't hurt, yet keep in mind Dennis Seidenberg burned 17 of his own on a terrific night with 22:08, 1 assist, and a +1). Coach Pete DeBoer - again - kept his troops on-topic during what might have degenerated into bedlam with the entire league watching. Left Wachovia with the win, a healthy roster, and heretofore unbeknownst confidence...a combination hardly believable just days ago.

For the curious: Steve MacIntyre, understandably expected to log a healthy block of time, clocked 2 minutes on the ice (1 shot). Mike Duco got the lion's share of attention, logging 6:29 (5 pim) while garnering a boatload of money shots via Fox Sports Florida. Bryan Allen was a sparkplug as well (4 pim, 3 shots, 20:12 TOI).

Notes: Florida scored three power play goals. Philadelphia netminder Brian Boucher (hand injury) was yanked after allowing two goals on 13 shots; recent Carolina castoff Michael Leighton replaced him, stopping 15 of 17. Final SOG: PHI over FLA 31-30. McCabe, Allen, Seidenberg, and Duco all had at least 4 pim for the Cats, while Laperierre, Mike Richards ('member him?), and Danny Briere did the same for the Flyers.

Next up: Rangers on Wednesday.

Florida Panthers at Philadelphia Flyers - Live Game Thread

Whale4ever — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 00:09:13 -0000

15-15-7 (37 Points) 15-17-2 (32 Points)

WELCOME TO THIS EVENING'S OPEN THREAD

Broad Street Hockey * Panthers @ Flyers GameDay Central * TSN Preview

Not much of a need to fluff this one up. Check out our pals at Broad Street Hockey, settle in with the drinkin' stuff, and enjoy. Go Cats.

Monday Caterwaul - Panthers Open Forum - "We Didn't Forget" Edition

Whale4ever — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:53:19 -0000

"I don't know if we're just going to run around and try to fight everybody we see,"

- Defenseman Keith Ballard, presumably joking, via the Sun-Sentinel

So, what's the topic of discussion for today? Weather sure is delightful...

Poll

A bloodbath tonight?

Yeah I'm angry. How could you not be angry?

Whale4ever — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:50:13 -0000

Yeah I'm angry. How could you not be angry?

Injured Panthers forward David Booth, pulling no punches over the infamous Mike Richards hit

Panthers channel Syracuse Bulldogs; recall Duco, MacIntyre

Whale4ever — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:13:37 -0000

Panthers channel Syracuse Bulldogs; recall Duco, MacIntyre

Prepping for what will undoubtedly be a physical game Monday in Philadelphia, the Sun-Sentinel reports Florida has promoted Steve MacIntyre and Mike Duco. Presumably not for their combined faceoff prowess.

Michal Repik and Jeff Taffe are headed back to Rochester.

Forbes to Panthers fans: You Suck

Whale4ever — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:20:05 -0000

Our society tends to place a high priority - or at the very least an engineered interest - in lists. Ten Best Songs, 100 Most Shocking Hollywood Crimes, 50 Funniest Movies, and so forth. I first noticed the trend's genesis around the turn of the century, when everyone from your local newspaper (remember those?) to VH1 and their horrid, shameful transformation into a televised version of Us Magazine teased our curiosity, making couch-bound voyeurs out of anyone with a remote control and a little free time.

The "list" craze continues full-force - just turn on the flatscreen at any given hour - with no sign of abating. They're admittedly fun, they poke at our past, and tend to keep our attention while forcing your brain into no further action than simply ticking over.

Forbes, "Home Page for the World's Business Leaders", has compiled what they are referring to as The NHL's Best (and worst) Fans. It's not stated which of the world's business leaders might be interested in such an exercise, but nevertheless...Sir Richard Branson will sleep more soundly after having been informed of the Minnesota Wild's fifth-"ranked" fanbase.

The Florida Panthers, perennial home of questionable trades, a history of lousy draft picks, and stuck in a market featuring endless entertainment options, have shockingly been proclaimed as possessing the NHL's worst fans.

The evidence for such a scolding?

Despite finishing last season with their second best record ever (41-30-11), the Panthers failed to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth straight year since the lockout. Fans didn't settle for mediocrity. The team had the worst TV ratings and second worst attendance in the league last year.

- Forbes' Christina Settimi

Quite obviously, this wasn't utilized in our defense.

Numbers can't be argued with, so a childish he said-she said cannot be employed, but as a Panthers fan, do these silly lists even bother you any longer?

To be a fan of this club is to proudly sport chainmail and moon boots: the armor protecting your fleshy areas from ignorant ridicule, the footwear for traversing endless miles of BS laid in our collective path.

Year after playoffless year, the dedicated base of several thousand continue to show up, tune in, and care. What more can be asked?

By the way: followers of the Penguins were judged to be the "best" in hockey. Wonder how they might have fared in the same list about five years ago...

Thanks to GW at Puck Daddy for the heads-up...

Rochester's Steve MacIntyre takes on Hershey's Grant McNeill Friday night. Thanks,...

Whale4ever — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:06:50 -0000

Rochester's Steve MacIntyre takes on Hershey's Grant McNeill Friday night.

Thanks, LetsGoAmerks!.

Panthers at Hurricanes - Live Game Thread

Whale4ever — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 23:23:50 -0000

15-14-7 (37 Points) 8-20-6 (22 Points)

WELCOME TO THIS EVENING'S OPEN THREAD

Canes Country * Panthers at Hurricanes GameDay Central * TSN Preview

Off to a Christmas party tonight - and the game's not on locally anyway (NHL Gamecenter, 7pm) - so we're on autopilot for this one. Not to mention I'm working today, shopping, gotta feed the chickens, watch Trek, color the hair...

Peter DeBoer's timing couldn't have been better: Bryan Allen - rested last night - will return to the lineup as Dmitry Kulikov ("lower-body injury") remains in SoFla.

Enjoy the evening, take a peek at what our snowbound friends have on tap at Canes Country, and Go Cats.

Poll

Should the Panthers have stuck with the dopey "claws" on the gloves as pictured above during the uniform roll-out in 1993?

Panthers double Hurricanes 6-3 in Sunrise

Whale4ever — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:03:08 -0000

More photos » by Lynne Sladky - AP

3 days ago: The puck gets past Carolina Hurricanes goalie Manny Legace (34) on a goal scored by Florida Panthers center Dominic Moore, right, in the third period during an NHL hockey game in Sunrise, Fla., Friday, Dec. 18, 2009. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Good stuff team-wide as the Cats, clinging to a 6-3 lead (and followers of this club know the drill) closed the door in a home game to climb above .500, taking the Hurricanes by a final of 6-3.

Radek Dvorak (+5!) and Rostislav Olesz finished with three points each, followed by Dominic Moore's two-pointer. Tomas Vokoun - rattled in the third frame but keeping focus to the end - ended the night with 32 saves on 35 shots. Ten Panthers skaters gained at least one point. Behold the sweet stuff...

Solid work team-wide as the Cats, clinging to a 6-3 lead (and followers of this club know the drill) closed the door in a home game to climb above .500, taking the Hurricanes by a final of 6-3.

Carolina went the Paul Maurice route - in the third - but found far too much mountain to climb. Any Cats fan who wasn't a little nervous when the Canes scored their second goal wled (by far) as either without cellphone service or lying to you. Scott Walker and Eric Staal tamed a ridiculous lead, scaring the tar out of Panthers fans late, but never quite mustering the killer offense needed to overcome the deficit.

Staal and defenseman Joni Pitkanen each had six shots on goal. Staal, Sergei Samsonov, and Tuomo Ruutu were each a minus-3. Manny Legace - in relief of Cam Ward - stopped 1 of 2 shots. Stephen Weiss and Nathan Horton both collected an assist to continue their hot streaks. Ex-Hurricane Dennis Seidenberg led (by far) both clubs with 27:42 TOI. Bryan McCabe (2g, 2a) has a 4-game point streak.

This was so much fun, let's do it again Saturday. Live Blog hits at 6pm.

Hurricanes at Panthers - Live Game Thread

Whale4ever — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:26:46 -0000

8-19-6 (22 Points) 14-14-7 (35 Points)

WELCOME TO THIS EVENING'S OPEN THREAD

Canes Country * Hurricanes @ Panthers GameDay Central * TSN Preview

TONIGHT'S TENDERS

GP MIN W L EGA GA GAA SA SV SV% SO

2009 - Cam Ward 18 1009 3 10 51 3.03 503 452 .899 0

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2009 - Cam Ward	18	1009	3	10		51	3.03	503	452	.899	0

	GP	MIN	W	L	EGA	GA	GAA	SA	SV	SV%	SO
2009 - Tomas Vokoun	27	1583	9	10		69	2.62	895	826	.923	3

Tough keeping score these days with all the freak injuries and their associated callups from Rochester, but we'll try to clear it up: Dmitry Kulikov (neck), Gregory Campbell (upper body) appear to be a go. Bryan Allen (precautionary; will sit tonight) is covered by Jason Garrison. Kamil Kreps is out after involuntarily melding with the bench door on Wednesday.

Carolina's not in much better shape: reportedly they are still without Tim Gleason, Chad LaRose, Niclas Wallin, Erik Cole, Mike Ryan, and Joe Corvo.

But that Staal kid is in. Always welcome news in these here parts.

The clubs each have a home victory after completing the first two games of the season series, with the Cats winning 3-0 on November 4th.

All the usual excellence on everything Carolina is up at Canes Country, and I do recommend a visit. Thanks for coming out. Go Cats.

Oh, and talk about mixed emotions: