Florida Panthers- Out of gas
 |
Bill Jempty | Friday, March 23, 2007 |
Their playoff run looks to have run out of steam.
Undoubtedly weary making his franchise-record 25th consecutive start, the 41-year-old netminder allowed goals on the first three shots he faced in the second period before being pulled as the Panthers dropped a 4-2 decision to Ottawa Thursday night at the BankAtlantic Center.
The loss, only Florida’s third in regulation on home ice since Christmas, dropped the Panthers to 31-30-13 and was likely the final blow to their dwindling playoff hopes as they fell seven points behind eighth-place Carolina, a 4-3 winner over Washington.
Ottawa’s four goals against Belfour came on just nine shots.
*****
Belfour had given up five goals in back-to-back games last week, but rebounded to stop 24-of-25 shots in Tuesday’s 4-1 win at Philadelphia.
Florida outshot Ottawa 37-19 and, by the Panther coaching staff’s count, had twice as many chances.
Craig Anderson, who stopped all 10 shots he faced in his first extended work as a Panther, said the opportunities the Senators’ sharpshooters got were just too good.
I expressed concern about Belfour last Sunday. You can only ride a 41-year-old goalie so far. The Panthers have played well for the last 2-3 months. 2006-07 won’t see them make the playoffs but next year is looking hopeful.
- Goalie Craig Anderson and Florida Panthers shut down Ottawa 3-1
- Playoffs mean big payday for Ed Belfour
- Craig Anderson completes his 2nd straght shutout, Florida beats Boston 1-0
- Will George Richards of the Miami Herald please pick up the Black courtesy phone
- Florida Panthers and the Eastern NHL Conference at the half way mark
- Colorado and Goalie Craig Anderson blank Vancouver 3-0
- Dousing the Flames- Panthers beat Calgary 3-2
- Florida’s 6-3 win over Boston puts them one point out of division lead
- The dumps- Carolina lose 10th in a row, Florida Panthers wins 3-0
- How did anyone think Tampa Bay could be a Stanley Cup contender this year?
- Ex-Claimer wins Breeders Cup Dirt Mile
- Ship wreck- Navy beats Notre Dame 23-21
- NY Islander Defenseman Radek Martinek out for the year with a torn ACL
- Oh have the mighty fallen- Purdue beats Michigan 38-36
- Out of luck- Northwestern beats Iowa 17-10
- Minnesota Twins acquire SS J.J. Hardy from Milwaukee
- U of New Mexico soccer player Elizabeth Lambert suspended indefinitely
- FIU loses to Northwood 71-61
- Florida Marlins trade OF Jeremy Hermida to Boston
- San Francisco Giant P Tim Lincecum charged with marijuana possession
Comments are Closed
