Buffalo De-Claws Panthers, 5-2

For those of you who watched this game, let me be the first to admit that had Clemmensen not let 2 goals in within the first two minutes of the game, this game would have been much closer. Not just by the score margin [therefore, it would have been 3-2], but on terms of effort alone.

Let’s recap, first.

Mike Grier opened the scoring 1:11 into the game, off assists by Kennedy and Hecht. 45 seconds later,  Jason Pominville scored on the powerplay after Florida’s Kamil Kreps was called for hooking. With the score 2-0 within 2 minutes, Clemmensen was pulled from the pipes and replaced by Vokoun. Matt Ellis, Tyler Myers, and Thomas Vanek would all score in the first period, along with the Panthers’  Reinprecht to make the score after 1 period 5-1.

Buffalo continued to take penalties and give Florida over 5 powerplays, on which 1 goal was scored in the 3rd period, resulting in the game’s final tally of 5-2. Goaltender Ryan Miller received the second star of the night, stopping 41 of 43 Florida shots on goal. Vokoun stopped 30 Buffalo shots.

I can honestly say that Florida got its act together after the first period and held the Sabres scoreless for 40 minutes. However, the Sabres’ 5-goal offensive in the first proved too big of a hole to dig out of. I really admired Florida’s defensive lockdown on Buffalo after the first period- and that the team never gave up.

I think the biggest thing that upset me during this game was all the empty seats in the BankAtlantic Center. The Panthers are a decent team and while I can’t say that empty seats at a South Florida hockey game surprises me, i am surprised that the arena was that barren. When the Panthers’ goals were scored, the goal horn was louder than the crowd. Even further, the crowd was just as loud [or louder] when the Sabres scored their goals. Although many fans don’t think about it, that must have had some sort of psychological effects on the players. I know it would on me.

I guess I’ve realized how lucky I am to be a fan of Northern teams who sell out their games. It’s something that I think a lot of players take for granted.

But in conclusion, I just want to commend the players of the Florida Panthers- you guys played your hearts out.