I’m not sure how much  more of this I can take.  I have a pretty strong stomach and am very strong willed, but this is getting absolutely ridiculous. 

Let me set the table for you.  The Panthers who scored early in the third period when The Little Weasel’s stick got in the way of Dmitry Kulikov’s shot for a deflection to take a 1-0 lead, were playing the old fashioned Jacques Martin prevent defence.  Atlanta playing desperately in their attempt to tie the game were putting on all sorts of pressure on the Panthers and Tomas Vokoun.  Vokoun was again stellar on a night when his teammates faced a goaltender,  veteran Johan Hedberg who was equally as good.  Vokoun stopped 36 of 37 shots this night, but needed his mates to score just one more goal and they had chances, but as usual couldn’t bury the puck.

And then it happened.  The Coffeemaker was sent off for a lazy hooking penalty with slighlty more than three minutes left in the game giving Atlanta a power play.  As the pressure was being applied, the ladies of my house each had the perfect comments. 

My wife: “I’m Nervous.  My daughter: ” You Should be”.  I kid you not my loyal readers.  I’m not making this up!

Then shortly after the penalty expired Kovalchuk scored the game tying goal, and you just had to feel the worst was still to come.  It did.  So for the third time this week the Florida Panthers surrendered the lead in the waning minutes of the game, twice to the same team.

We  then went to overtime, and TLW missed a half open net, while the Thrashers actually had no shots on goal.  We went to the shootout, a part of the game that makes my skin crawl, and I knew we were done.

Rhino did managed to score as did Kovalchuk, but it was Rich Peverley who scored the winner for Atlanta giving the Thrashers the extra point.

The Panthers wasted a great effort by Vokoun.  They had their chances, but having to kill nine consecutive minutes of penalties in the second period, losing Michael Frolik for a boarding call and game misconduct, and missing a few open nets, dug their grave.  By the way, Mike Duco and Jeff Taffe each played less than 4 minutes.

To sum up, we can’t finish, we can’t hit the open net, and we play scared. 

Don’t give me any crap about at least we got a point. 

This was a game against a division and conference rival.  We need the two points.  Remember what I said about having the “Mental Capacity”?  They don’t.

This week coming up is no easier.  Four games inlcuding three on the road with back to back Friday and Saturday.

Management- Time to do something!

Thanks for reading

Cheers.