Miami Sports Website Veterans Create Alternative Sports Scene

Owners of CrankUpTheHeat.com and MiamiSportsGeneration.com team up to create a new Miami sports website, covering all local teams and events in South Florida. LiveFromThe305.com will provide fresh content beyond game recaps and short-lived stories.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MIAMI, FL - Long gone are the days in which a website offered insightful news and a fresh take on the sports world. Lately, sports blogs and websites are settling for “cookie cutter” stories about overhyped topics, whether it’s Tim Tebow, LeBron James or the Los Angeles Lakers. Sports website gurus, Pedro Heizer and David J. Verjano, are primed to change all that. Heizer and Verjano are starting the newest Miami sports site that will revolutionize the way sports news is delivered to Miami fans: LiveFromThe305.com.

“Too many sites are sacrificing sports journalism in favor of drive-by entertainment,” says Pedro Heizer, the founder and editor of CrankUpTheHeat.com and 90MinutesStrong.com and sports editor of The Boca Raton Tribune. “People are ignorantly fed ‘Hotties of the Week’ and cliché, dated sports stories from sites that define themselves by social media fame.”

Live From The 305 will provide a unique balance of content that separates it from the excessive extravagance of sports infotainment blogs and the “cookie cutter” coverage of newspaper sites. The site will delve into stories that are beyond the box score and offer in-depth analysis of relevant Miami sports stories. Rather than wasting time on game recaps, Live From The 305 will deliver lasting, insightful coverage.

“We want to break away from the mold of entertainment sports sites and revolutionize the Miami sports scene,” says Verjano, founder and editor of MiamiSportsGeneration.com and an experienced Marketing Communications Professional. “That’s why we collaborated to launch Live From The 305.”

In addition to covering the major Miami sports teams, like the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins and Miami Marlins, Live From The 305 will also cover the Florida Panthers, Miami Hurricanes, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, and other local South Florida sports teams.

Heizer and Verjano are not only sports website veterans but savvy social media users as well, engaging the Miami sports community through various social media platforms. Heizer’s 90 Minutes Strong (@90MinutesStong), a soccer website, went from 100 followers to over 1,500 in less than a week. Live From The 305, a site dedicated to Miami and South Florida sports, will be active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and any other relevant social media platforms that may emerge in an effort to connect with fans.

“Reaching out to Miami sports fans and creating a discussion about local sports teams is just part of our passion,” stated Verjano. “We don’t just follow trends, we create them - to further the conversation, add greater insight and contribute to the fan IQ,” added Heizer.

ABOUT LIVE FROM THE 305

LiveFromThe305.com is set to launch in March 2013. In the meantime, the latest news and updates on Live From The 305 can be found on Twitter (@The305Live), Facebook (Facebook.com/The305Live) and Instagram (@The305Live). To reach Pedro Heizer, email Pedro@LiveFromThe305.com and to reach David J. Verjano, email David@LiveFromThe305.com.

 # # #

Note from David: This by no means Miami Sports Generation is closing down. Instead we will collaborate and be a source of Miami sports news for Live From The 305. 

Cats Shootout Struggles Continue

Written by Julia Chongarlides

The Florida Panthers were last in the Eastern Division last season, but this year seems to be the year for Hockey fans in South Florida. The Cats are 22-15-11 and have plenty to be pleased about heading into the All-Star break.

However, they're still struggling in shootouts. Once again, the Panthers failed to execute in last night’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Florida has now lost six shootouts and 11 overtime games this season. Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux scored the lone goal in the shootout, catapulting the Flyers to a 3-2 win over the Cats.

Florida took the lead early when Mikael Samuelsson hit a slap shot from 50 feet out. Later in the first period, the Flyers were called for interference and a bizarre bounce off Scott Clemmensen’s back slipped into the net to tie up the game at 1-1. The Flyers didn’t hold back, finishing off the first period in the lead with a goal by Jakub Voracek, 2-1.

In the second period, Versteeg broke free on a breakaway and backhanded a pass to Tomas Fleischmann, who flipped the puck into the net to tie it up at 2-2.

The Cats had plenty of opportunities in the remainder of the game, but couldn’t capitalize in the end.

Florida is tied with Washington Capitals in the Southeast Division, but is officially 7th in the Eastern Division with 34 games left. The Cats play at home next Wednesday, February 1st, against the rival Capitals. The puck drops at 8:00pm.

Cats Claw Their Way to First Place

December 7, 2011
Written by Julia Chongarlides

The first place Florida Panthers showed the Washington Capitals why they deserve to be atop the Southeast Division. The Panthers have a seven-point lead over the Caps in the division, which is the largest division lead in the NHL.

Dmitry Kulikov scored a career-high three points (1-2-3) and a season-high five shots, while Steven Weiss notched two goals to lead the Cats to their 5-4 win over the Capitals on Monday night. For the first time in 12 years the Florida Panthers are 15-8-4 on the season.

The Cats travel to Boston on Thursday night to face off with the defending Stanley Cup Champs. The Bruins are first in the Northeast Division and have a one-point lead over the Panthers in the East. The puck drops at 7:00 PM ET.

Panthers Pounce Lightning for 2nd Win

October 17, 2011
Written by Julia Chongarlides

  The Florida Panthers secured their second victory of the season by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 on Saturday night. Panthers' Goaltender Jose Theodore shined as he made 28 saves and denied three Lightning players during the shootout.

Let’s not forget about Jovo, who scored the opening goal of the gas and his for Florida in 13 years. Kris Versteeg chalked Florida's next goal during a power play with 2:55 left in regulation, which gave the Cats a 2-1 lead. But it didn’t take long for Tampa’s Marc-Andre Bergeron to tie it up 39 seconds later.

Marcel Goc came through for the Panthers by scoring the lone goal of the shootout to clinch the win for Florida. The Cats head to Tampa for a rematch tonight at 7:30 PM. The Lightning will seek revenge at home while the Panthers look to build on their success.

The Cat Fight Begins

October 11, 2011
Written by Julia Chongarlides

There is a win in South Florida! Yup…that’s right, a win! And it didn’t come from the Miami Hurricanes or the Miami Dolphins, who was on their bye week, this weekend.

The Florida Panthers shut out the Islanders 2-0. Stephen Weiss and Jason Garrison each scored and Goaltender, Jose Theodore made 27 saves for Kevin Dineen’s first win as the Panthers head coach.

With the Cats winning their first game, We See Red is becoming a household name. The Panther’s president and CEO, Michael Yormark took to twitter before the game on Saturday stating:

@PantherYormark At the bankatlantic center and standing in the bowl. It’s a sea of red with red seats, red scoreboard, and 3 rings of digital signage.

Although the Panthers don’t play at home until October 15, fans await to see the revamped rink. But first the Cats head to Pittsburgh to face off with the Penguins tonight.

Last Cats Standing?

October 7, 2011
Written by Julia Chongarlides

The Florida Marlins finished out of the playoffs, it’s hard to believe the Miami Dolphins will reach the playoffs and the Miami Heat may be locked out of the playoffs.

It seems that the only team left to cheer for in South Florida is the Florida Panthers. But that will be a tough task for fans as the Cats haven’t made the playoffs in about a decade.

Even with star players like Steven Weiss and David Booth, the Panthers were 30-40 last season. Head Coach Peter DeBoer was fired in April after three seasons with the Panthers. DeBoer was given last season to redeem himself but finished last in the East and 3rd worst overall. The signs were clear: It was time for him to hit the bench.

Enter former NHL Man-of-the-Year winner Kevin Dineen, who becomes Florida's new head coach. If his credentials talk for themselves, then we will see a revamped and reenergized Panthers team this season.

The Panthers enter 2011 donning a new slogan: We See Red. It symbolizes the desire to turn things around in South Florida and thrive for contention once again. The slogan has been backed up by a bevy of offseason moves, such as the signing of defenseman Ed Jovanovski (4-year, $16.5 million deal). Jovo, as he is known, is a former 1st round draft pick by Florida and a key player in the Panther’s 1996 Stanley Cup playoff run. The Cats hope he can ignite the same flame that burned during the glory years of Panthers hockey.

The Panthers start the 2011-12 season on Saturday, October 8th in New York to face off with the Islanders.

Goodbye, Not Farewell

Greetings.

Miami Sports Generation promised you intense hockey coverage over the course of the 2011-12 season. It is with many apologies that we say we cannot commit to this promise.

Over the weekend I was hired to be a correspondent with Inside Hockey.com, a website that produces columns on all 30 NHL teams. I will be the Panthers beat writer. I do not know what David plans to do or if he plans to replace me on the hockey beat, but in the mean time I encourage you to go to the website and enjoy some articles on all of the teams (Especially the Panthers). It'll be worth it, I promise!

My intention is to remain and write features for the site, and maybe next year I will actually get a few Marlins posts in! Of course, all of this depends on David's decisions. It's been a pleasure being your brief hockey beat writer here at Miami Sports Generation. Hopefully you will see some RED and I will get to see you out at the BankAtlantic Center this season. If you see me, feel free to say "hi!" and let me know what you think of my columns! I love feedback.

-Justin

Rookie Camp: Panthers improve to 1-0; Lightning lose 2 games

CORAL SPRINGS - The Florida Panthers topped the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first game of the "Kevin Dineen Era" last night at the Saveology Iceplex in Coral Springs.

Before the game, the two teams paused for a moment of silence to remember Wade Belak (Suicide), Ruslan Salei, Karlins Skratstans, and Alexander Karpovtsev (Plane Crash), all of the Lokomitiv hockey team, and all of the victims of the 9/11 attacks.

Scott Timmins, who was celebrating his birthday, scored the first goal at the 15:20 mark in the first period. The goal came off a rebound in front of the net. Logan Shaw and Alexander Petrovic were credited with assists on the play. Timmins played in 19 games with the Panthers last year and had one goal.

After Tampa Bay's Cory Conacher scored early in the 2nd period, tying the game at 1, the Panthers rookies took over.Vladislav Namestinkov, the Lightning's top pick in the 2011 draft, took a high sticking call, and his Florida counterpart took advantage. Jonathan Huberdeau passed the puck to Timmins, who tried to give it right back to the Number 3 Overall pick in June's draft. Huberdeau saw it in front of the net and put the puck home at 6:20 for his first goal in a Panther uniform.

The Panthers made it a trifecta, with Timmins taking a penalty for boarding, and John McFarland scoring a shorthanded goal 10:52 in.

At the 17:52 mark, however, Ondrej Palat brought the Lightning back to within one. But the Panthers came out of the gate looking to get the goal back, and did 3:39 in. Left-winger Corey Durocher gave the Cats the insurance and ultimately, the Panthers won 4-2.

CAT BYTES:

• Erik Gudbranson and Carter Ashton fought in the game. The fight led to a loud chant of "Let's Go Panthers".
• Approximately 2,000 fans were in attendance for the game Sunday night. 
• The Rookies were coached by AHL coach Chuck Weber.
• The Lightning fell to the Nashville Predators 7-3 Monday night.
• The Panthers will face the Predators at 11am on Tuesday. Look for live updates on here or on Twitter. Follow @790Justin for more!

Looking For Updates on the 2011-12 Florida Panthers? We've Got You Covered!

Well, I can finally say it: It's hockey season! This was perhaps the most exciting offseason in Panthers history and it is sure to be followed with an exciting regular season.

Rookie camp opened today at the Saveology IcePlex in Coral Springs, and we're only a week away from the first full-squad workouts.

Myself, along with Miami Sports Generation, have you covered this season. On and off the ice, we'll make sure you see RED! I will be posting my story on the 4 former Panthers players we lost in the past week + over the weekend, followed by a full off-season recap. The Panthers will host a rookie tournament this weekend. On Sunday, they'll face the Tampa Bay Lightning at 6pm, on Monday the Lightning take on the Nashville Predators, also at 6pm. Tuesday will see the Panthers and the Predators, at 11am...and on Wednesday, the Panthers and Lightning square off again at 11am.

My work commitments will keep me away from camp until Tuesday, but I will be out there at 11am for the rookie game. More on that to come.

Stay tuned for more on Rookie Camp and Training camp, as we countdown to the preseason opener on Monday, Sep 19. (It's a doubleheader against the Nashville Predators...and I'll be at BOTH games!!!)

Oh, it's not over yet! Panthers Ink Bergenheim

SUNRISE - The Florida Panthers completed what may be one of the most memorable, if not most successful days in franchise history Friday. After signing Scottie Upshall, Jose Theodore, Ed Jovanovski, and Marcel Goc, and acquiring Kris Versteeg in a trade with Philadelphia, the Panthers locked up left wing Sean Bergenheim Friday night.

Bergenheim comes to the Panthers from their intra-state rival Tampa Bay Lightning. He had one of his better seasons in 2010-11, posting 14 goals and 15 assists, but his postseason numbers were even more staggering. He had 9 goals and 2 assists in 16 games as the Lightning advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. Bergenheim has played 326 games, the majority of which with the New York Islanders. He was drafted by the Isles in the first round in 2002.

For Panthers fans, this is a long time coming. We will see what happens when the team hits the ice in October, but most of the holes have been filled and the talent level is up. The Panthers are still short of the salary floor, so stay with us at M-S-G for the latest Panthers news and notes!

Panthers Not Done Yet: Add Fleischmann and Yonkman

SUNRISE - When all seemed to start quieting down in Panther-land today, General Manger Dale Tallon announced one more surprise. The Panthers added Tomas Fleischmann to a growing list of new Panthers. He joins Scottie Upshall, Ed Jovanovski, Jose Theodore, Marcel Goc, and Kris Versteeg, all added today.

Fleischmann may be a familar name. He recently played for the Washington Capitals, but was traded to the Colorado Avalance midway through last season. However, he was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism which halted his career in January. The doctors recently cleared him, and he should be healthy by training camp. 2009-10 was the biggest season of the 27-year-old's career. He had 23 goals and 28 assists that year, his last fully healthy season. According to Capgeek.com, the signing is for 4 years at $4.5 million per year, which is slightly much for a potentially injured player. If healthy, though, Fleischmann should very quickly show his worth.

The Panthers also added to their new minor league affiliate, the San Antonio Rampage. They added Nolan Yonkman, a defenseman with 16 games of NHL expeirence last year, and 66 overall. The journeyman played last year for the AHL's Milwaukee Admirals and NHL's Phoenix Coyotes.

Panthers Bring Home Fan Favorite, Add 3 Others On Free Agent Frenzy

SUNRISE - The Florida Panthers made a big splash on opening day of NHL free agency. Florida began the day needing to spend around $40 million dollars, just to make the NHL mandated salary floor for 2011-12. The first order of business was to bring in veteran players, and it started with goalie Jose Theodore. But the Panthers weren't done, adding Scottie Upshall, Ed Jovanovski, and Marcel Goc.

Theodore (pronounced Joe-Say TEE-a-door) won the Hart (MVP) and Vezina (best goaltender) Trophies in 2001-02, and the Bill Masterson Memorial Trophy (Sportsmanship) in 2009-10. While last year he served as a backup, posting a 15-11-3 record with a 2.71 GAA and .916 save %, the soon to be 35 year old from Laval, Quebec will be asked to start again. He has also spent time in Washington and Colorado, but is probably best known for his time in Montreal. Theodore spent parts of 8 seasons playing with his hometown Canadiens. He has extensive playoff experience, appearing in 51 games with a 2.82 GAA and .911 save %. Theodore's deal is for 2 years with a cap hit of $1.5 million.

Upshall says goodbye to Columbus, where he was shipped to on deadline day. He spent the start of his season with the Phoenix Coyotes. Upon the signing, Upshall changed his twitter avatar to the "leaping cat", and posted:

"Ecstatic to be joining the Florida Panthers Organization!! Awesome day... Truly a dream come true."

Upshall scored a career high 22 goals last season. The Left Winger from Fort McMurray, AB is just 27, but is now with his 5th team. Upshall also has extensive playoff experience from the Phoenix Coyotes surprise run in 2009-10, scoring 3 goals and adding 2 assists in 17 playoff games. Florida is taking a slight risk with the winger, signing him for 4 years at a $3.5 million cap hit per season, but Upshall should be a key member of this club for years to come.

Ed Jovanovski returns "home". The 35 year old defenseman (happy birthday last week by the way!) was selected first overall by the Panthers in the 1994 entry draft. He went on to have 3 1/2 successful seasons with the Panthers before being traded to Vancouver for a guy named Pavel Bure (ever hear of him?) From 1999-2006, "Jovocop" stayed in Western Canada, before trading rainboots for sunscreen again, playing the last 5 years with the Phoenix Coyotes. The Windsor, ON native was given a 4 year contract worth over $4 million a season, all but ensuring he finishes his career with the team he started it all with. Jovanovski's rookie season with the Panthers is still the closest he ever got to the Stanley Cup, and you know the veteran defender wants to change his fate back where it all began.

If the worst you do in a day filled with signings is pick up Marcel Goc, then you're having a good day! Goc is the highest ever German picked in the NHL draft (unless you count Dany Heatley, but he's really Canadian), having been picked 20th overall in 2001 by San Jose. Goc is a depth guy. He'll give you 10-ish goals a year, but he was a +10 last year. He makes things happen and will be a good third liner. The 27 year old will see a cap hit of $1.7 million over 3 years.

These four join Kris Versteeg, who was acquired around 4:00 pm from the Philadelphia Flyers. They also join defenseman Brian Campbell, who was acquired at the draft from the Chicago Blackhawks and quickly signed a 5 year $7+ million dollar deal with the Panthers, and Tomas Kopecky, who was also acquired from the Blackhawks in a different deal. He signed a 4 year $3 million dollar contract just prior to the opening of free agency.

What happened today is unprecedented in the world of the new NHL. Hockey fans will love these moves, and the Panthers are very close to being a playoff team with these new players. If there is no basketball or football this season, South Florida sports fans WILL have something to cheer for come the fall!

Panthers Acquire Kris Versteeg from the Philadelphia Flyers

SUNRISE - The Florida Panthers acquired right winger Kris Versteeg from the Philadelphia flyers in exchange for a second round pick in 2012 or 2013 (Florida's choice) and a 3rd round pick in 2012.

Versteeg enters his 5th season in the NHL this year. The 25 year old was acquired by the Flyers last season from Toronto. He had 21 goals and 25 assists all told last year, but ended a -9 because a lack of production by his teammates in Toronto. Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon originally acquired Versteeg from the Boston Bruins organization in the 2006-07 season. He has put up at least 20 goal seasons in each of his first 3 full years in the league, 2 of them with Tallon's Blackhawks. He joins Jack Skille, Brian Campbell and Tomas Kopecty, all former Blackhawks who are now members of the Panthers.

Lost in the shuffle, Florida Panthers introduce a new head coach

I'll make this short and sweet...because: let's face it, 99% of South Florida doesn't even care about hockey right now. In fact, I may be THE only one who cares. But, you'll be thanking me for writing this story when the Panthers reach the Stanley Cup Finals! (Eventually!)

SUNRISE- The Florida Panthers introduced their new head coach, Kevin Dineen, on Wednesday afternoon at a press conference in the Chairman's Club at BankAtlantic Center. While this is Dineen's first NHL head coaching job, the 47 year old has led the Portland Pirates of the AHL to a record of 266-155-59 with a .616 winning percentage, the best in the franchise’s history. During this tenure with Portland, his teams won at least 40 games in four of out six seasons, won a pair of division titles (05-06 & 10-11) and advanced to the AHL’s Eastern Conference Finals twice (05-06 & 07-08). (per the Florida Panthers press release)


“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Kevin Dineen to the Florida Panthers organization,” said Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon. “Kevin brings to our organization more than 25 years of playing and coaching experience. He played in more than 1,100 National Hockey League games and is one of only seven players in the league’s history to score more than 350 goals, while registering more than 2,000 penalty minutes."

Dineen's playing career is highlighted by two stints with the Hartford Whalers. He scored the final goal in Whalers history, on the same day Tiger Woods won his first Masters title in 1997. Dineen also played for the Philadelphia Flyers, where he was coached by his father for a season. He moved with the Whalers to their new home in Carolina (Hurricanes) after the 1996-97 season. Dineen then played for the Ottawa Senators before concluding his career in with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He played 1,188 games over his 19 year career, and also served as captain for Hartford, Philadelphia, and Carolina.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

CAT BYTES:  The Panthers re-signed Jack Skille to a 2 year contract and have signed Garrett Wilson and Roman Derlyuk to entry level contacts. the forward was acquired in February from the Chicago Blackhawks in exchange for Michel Frolik.

Derlyuk is 24 years old, like Skille. The defenseman was selected by Florida in the 6th round of the 2005 draft and most recently played for Moscow of the KHL.

The 20 year old Wilson played for the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL. The 2009 4th round selection led his team to the Memorial Cup and scored 40 goals, adding 46 assists last season.

I Apologize...

April 2, 2011

Everyone,

I apologize for not having my updates done this weekend. Panthers and Marlins updates will return on Monday. I've been working 12 hour days and will finally see off time Monday. Look for a LOT of catching up then. For now...enjoy your weekend!

Justin

Recap - Panthers at Columbus from Tuesday and Panthers gameday vs Ottawa 7:30 pm 3/31 in Sunrise

COLUMBUS, OH - The Florida Panthers fell to the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 in a shootout on Tuesday night. It was the second night in a row the Panthers fell in the shootout.

Scotty Upshall, recently acquired from Phoenix, started the scoring at the 7:06 mark of the 1st. His hart snap shot ringed off the post or crossbar over Scott Clemmensen and in. It was his 21st of the season.

In the second Sergei Samsonov took a shot that went off the post and then off goaltender Steve Mason. It made it right to David Booth who tipped it into a wide open net to tie it at 1 3:41 in. It was Booth's 22nd.

Nearly 19 minutes in, Antoine Vermette scored his 18th goal in much the same way Booth scored his. The save was made by Clemmensen and Vermette was on the doorstep to put it home to put the Blue Jackets up a goal.

The Panthers came back, though. Evgeny Dadanov scored his 8th 7:31 in. He got the feed from Jason Garrison and went in...when he saw he had no shot on Mason, he hustled around for a complete wrap around goal. It was a beauty that sent us into overtime and a shootout.

The shootout stats: Panthers 0-3, Blue Jackets 1-3. Final score: 3-2 Blue Jackets.

Three Stars:

1. Steve Mason (W)
2. Maksim Mayorov (Shotout Goal)
3. Scott Clemmensen (L)

PANTHERS GAME DAY

Florida Panthers (29-36-12 70 points)

vs

Ottawa Senators (29-38-10 68 points) 

Thursday, March 31, 2011 7:30 PM BankAtlantic Center, Sunrise, FL

TV: FS-Florida (Steve Goldstein,Bill Lindsay), SNET-East (Ottawa) (Dean Brown, Denis Potvin)

RADIO: 560 WQAM (Miami) (Randy Moller), Team 1200 (Ottawa) (Dean Brown, Gord Wilson, Dave Schreiber)

* * *

BATTLE FOR LAST: Ottawa has won all 3 matchups this year, and Panthers fans won't be upset if they take 1 more. The Sens are 2 points behind the Panthers for worst in the East. With a loss, the Panthers would sit in the 3rd worst spot in the East, holding a tiebreaker with Ottawa and the Islanders. The two teams will be playing hard, though. Pride and potentially jobs next year are on the line for both squads. 

RETOOLING: Floirda and Ottawa share a common goal: Retooling. Both teams are building for the future. Ottawa traded away Chris Campoli to Chicago on the trade deadline day and Mike Fisher left to join his country music star wife, Carrie Underwood, in Nashville a few weeks prior. Ottawa also took part in a "goalie swap", flipping Brian Elliott to Colorado in exchange for former Panther Craig Anderson. Elliott has had little success since joining Colorado, posting an 0-3 record. Anderson, however, is 5-3 since stepping in as the Senator's starter.

HEY, NOW...YOU'RE AN ALL STAR: Looking forward to next season, Ottawa will be hosting the NHL All Star Game in 2012. It will mark only the third time since 2000 that a Canadian team will host the mid-winter classic. This also marks the second time the All Star Game will be in a nations Capital. In 1982, the Washington Capitals hosted the game, with the Wales Conference beating the Campbell Conference 4-2 at the Capital Centre. It is fitting that the team will host next year, as it will be the 20th season of the current version of the Senators. 

PRODBABLE GOALIES:

FLA - Scott Clemmensen

OTT - Craig Anderson

3/29 vs Blue Jackets

very quick today:

PANTHERS GAME DAY

Florida Panthers (29-36-11 69 points)

vs

Columbus Blue Jackets (33-31-11 77 points)

Tuesday, March 29, 2011 7:00 PM Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH

TV: FS-Florida, FS-Ohio

RADIO: 560 WQAM (Miami) The Fan (multiple stations listed-Columbus)

*  *  *

The Florida Panthers conclude a 5 game road trip today in Columbus when they take on the Blue Jackets. They previously faced the central division opponent in January, losing 3-2 in OT on the 19th. Fedor Tyutin, RJ Umburger, and Andrew Vermette scored the three goals, while David Booth and Corey Stillman scored against Columbus. (Chris Higgins has 2 goals against the Blue Jackets, but both were scored as a member of the Vancouver Canucks). Columbus will most likely not make the playoffs, but they are still playing for a .500 record and are not a team to face lightly. Scott Clemmensen will take the place of the day-to-day Tomas Vokoun in the Panther net.

PROBABLE GOALIES: 
FLA - Scott Clemmensen
CMB - Steve Mason

Quick recap, Panthers fall to Pens in SO

March 27, 2011

PITTSBURGH - The Florida Panthers fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 in a shootout Sunday afternoon at the Consol Energy Center. For the Penguins it was an NHL record 4th straight shootout win. With both teams out of firepower (Sidney Crosby and Evgeny Malkin are hurt and the Panthers have...yeah), both teams got goals from unlikely sources.

All of the regulation scoring came in the 2nd. Alexander Sulzer had the puck for the Panthers at the point at 15:32. Ryan Carter tipped in in for his 3rd of the year to put the Cats on top. Darcy Hordichuk also assisted on the goal.

2 minutes later, at 17:49, Ben Lovejoy scored the equalizer for the Penguins. It was HIS third of the season with Alexi Kovalev and James Neal helping on the goal.

That was the score through two, three, and overtime (four). After regulation, Florida goalie Tomas Vokoun pulled himself after suffering a back problem in the third. Scott Clemmensen came in cold and played well in OT, stopping all four shots against him. In the shootout, both teams failed to get a tally the first time around. but Kovalev and Neal both scored in the 2nd and 3rd shootout frame, respectively...and after a Niclad Bergfors miss, the Penguins took the game in OT. Florida heads to Columbus tomorrow to take on the Blue Jackets.

THREE STARS:

1. Marc-Andre Fleury (W 37 SV)
2. Alex Kovalev (GW SOG 1 A)
3. Ben Lovejoy (G)

Panthers Eliminated in Buffalo...Moving Right Along to GAMEDAY vs Pittsburgh 3/27 1:00 PM

March 26, 2011

Sorry I am going to make this really short. Please go to George Richards' blog for a full recap.

BUFFALO - The Florida Panthers finally scored, but their efforts were futile. They fell to the Buffalo Sabres 4-2 Friday night. Drew Stafford had 2 goals and an assist, and Jason Pominville scored a goal while setting up a tip in goal by former Cat Jordan Leopold. After being down 1-0, the Panthers came back strong, tying the game at 1 on a Sergei Samsonov backhand goal. It was his 13th of the year. In the 3rd, the Panthers made it slightly less ugly, as Evegeny Dadonov had a wrist shot to make it 4-2. The goal was scored with just 3 seconds left in the game so, the Panthers had no shot at coming back.

CAT BYTES: The Panthers have been eliminated for an NHL Record setting 10th consecutive season.

THREE STARS:

1. Drew Stafford (2 G 1 A)
2. Jason Pominville (1 G 1 A)
3. Tyler Ennis (2 A)

PANTHERS GAME DAY

Florida Panthers (29-36-10 68 points)

vs

Pittsburgh Penguins (44-23-8 93 points)

Sunday, March 27, 2011 1:00 PM, Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA

TV: FS-Florida, FS-Pittsburgh

RADIO: 560 WQAM (Miami) 105.9 FM "The X" (Pittsburgh)

* * *

The Florida Panthers take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in game 4 of their 5 game road trip. Florida is out of playoff contention, while Pittsburgh has clinched a playoff spot and sits comfortably in the #4 spot. For those keeping track at home, the Panthers sit 1 point out of the 3rd worst record in the NHL, the highest you can be to claim the #1 draft spot. The two teams have met twice this year, with Pittsburgh taking both games. Most recently, Matt Cooke had the GWG in a 5-2 win on December 22 in Pittsburgh. The Panthers were featured on HBO's 24/7 that night.They also found themselves on the losing end in Sunrise, falling 3-2 November 22. Chris Conner had the goal in that game.

PROBABLE GOALIES: 
FLA - Tomas Vokoun
PIT - Marc-Andre Fleury

BREAKING NEWS: Panthers Officially Eliminated From Playoffs

March 25, 2011

Image from George Richards:

Ok...so we've known this for a while, but the Panthers were officially eliminated tonight. The full game story will come tomorrow morning, but I figured I'd pass along the news. Don't worry, it's impossible for a team to miss the playoffs 5...well 6...ok maybe 7....8 oh but if only we beat Montreal!....wait? 9...it's ok we're rebuilding in year 10...11 years, right?