Florida Panthers spoil Tampa Bay's home opener, embarrass Lightning 7-4 -NHL Match Update
The new 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) could not have gotten any worse for the Tampa Bay Lightning club, which played their first season game at home against Florida and looking to snap their four-game losing streak, were instead embarrassed by the
Panthers, 7-4, Monday night, October 17, at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida, United States.
Other than the four straight losses, it was the second consecutive loss against Florida Panthers, a team considered to be weak and sluggish after a disappoint last season, only two days after their previous meeting on Saturday.
Tampa Bay gave nine opportunities to Florida with an added man advantage, of which the Panthers managed to capitalise on four of them. Florida only gave up one goal on three penalties to secure the match.
Both teams remained level after the first period which saw four goals from Tomas Kopecky on a power play, followed by Tampa Bay’s Teddy Purcell on another added man advantage, while Victor Hedman made the tie-breaker and took the lead for the Lightning.
Stephen Weiss scored his second of the season and levelled the match for Florida’s second straight power play goal.
The second period was the decider for Florida as Kris Versteeg and former Lightning forward, Sean Bergenheim, within 10 minutes of each other on a power play and the latter on a breakaway, unassisted and shorthanded.
Vincent Lecavalier lessened the gap to put Tampa Bay within reach by one, but Kris Versteeg scored his second of the match on another added man advantage, followed by the Lightning’s last as Steven Stamkos potted one midway through the third. Stephen Weiss
and Jason Garrison potted two more for Florida, barely a minute apart to take the match out of reach for the home team.
Florida’s goalie, Jose Theodore, showed another brilliant performance by blocking 35 of 39 shots, while veteran Tampa Bay goaltender, Dwayne Roloson faced 33 shots and was short by 7.
"We were undisciplined tonight", Lightning forward Steven Stamkos said to no one’s surprise. "Their power play really beat us tonight. We took too many penalties. It's a big disappointment".
Florida Panthers look to extend their two-game winning streak against Washington Capitals on Tuesday. Tampa Bay, now having lost five straight, hope to comeback against New York Islanders on Thursday.
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