Sean Bergenheim makes game-winner as Florida Panthers edge Winnipeg Jets 2-1 -NHL Update
Florida grabbed their second straight victory coming out a long 2012 National Hockey League (NHL) All-Star Weekend as Sean Bergenheim made the decided goal to lift the Panthers past Winnipeg Jets, 2-1, on Friday, February 3, at the BankAtlantic Center in
Sunrise, Florida, United States.
Winnipeg was also on a two-game winning streak and were looking for their third straight after edging Tampa Bay Lightning only a day earlier in overtime, but as their game against Florida failed to go into overtime, it seemed as if the Jets could not make
their mark in regulation.
Florida has managed to keep one of the top spots in the Eastern Conference and are looking forward to doing so to enter their first playoffs in the past few seasons.
Panthers’ top forward, Kris Versteeg, failed to participate in their past game against Washington Capitals due to a flu, but managed to show up on Friday and helped his team to another victory.
"It's been a rough little go over the last few days," Kris Versteeg said. "Hopefully over the next little while I start to feel better, but a win always makes you feel pretty good."
Versteeg kicked off the scoring with his 20th goal of the 2011-2012 NHL regular season during their first power play opportunity of the night as Winnipeg’s Alex Burmistrov was booked for slashing at the 15:05 mark of the opening period.
Bryan Little levelled the matchup a little over midway through the second 20-minute phase on a quick assist by captain, Andrew Ladd, but as Sean Bergenheim put Florida up by one in the next three minutes, the Jets failed to add anymore in the final period
of regulation.
"Our team right now can't give up 20 minutes of free play and expect you're going to be able to win the game," Jets’ coach, Claude Noel, said. "Do I like the one goal we get every game? No. Would I Iike to see it change? Yes. Do I coach that way? No. That's
what we have, but there's still a way to win the games."
Florida Panthers will be visiting their state rivals, the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday while Winnipeg goes back to Canada in order to face-off with Montreal Canadiens a day later on Sunday.
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