The Rat Trick
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Florida Panthers Fall 2-1 To The Columbus Blue Jackets

By Daniel Janicas

Jagr and Co could only find the back of the net once, as the Panthers lose 2-1 to the Jackets.
Jagr and Co could only find the back of the net once, as the Panthers lose 2-1 to the Jackets. /
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The Florida Panthers knew coming into this game that they must win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. Unfortunately, the Cats ran into some problems and were edged 2-1 in result.

The Panthers started off the game on the right foot. They were getting pucks in deep, pressuring the defense, and causing some havoc in front of goal. With about seven minutes into the first, Jonathan Huberdeau slotted a rebound home to give the Cats an early 1-0 lead. Unfortunately, the Jackets challenged the play for goalie interference and won the challenge. The score remained 0-0.

With two minutes left in the first,

Jonathan Marchessault

poked home a loose rebound to give the Cats a 1-0 lead. After being denied a goal earlier in the first, this was the response the Panthers needed. The cats headed into the locker room 1-0 up.

From the start of the second, the game looked fairly even with both teams going up and down the ice. Both teams shared equal amount of chances, but no one seemed to budge. It was in the opening five minute mark, where Zach Werenski threw the puck from an odd angle and ended up beating Reimer. The goal was weak, but tied the game at one a piece.

The game suddenly took an unexpected turn in the second, when Josh Anderson scored with 30 seconds left to play in the period. This wasn’t the way the Cats wanted to end the second. The Panthers knew they would have to fire on all cylinders come the third.

As the third period arrived, the Cats did exactly what they’ve done all year, “Struggle to score”. With about 32 shots on goal during the game, the Panthers could only muster one goal out of all those shots taken. It’s absurd. Needless to say, the game ended 2-1 in favor for the Blue Jackets..

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So to keep it fairly short as I have for this article, the Florida Panthers head to New York on Friday to take on the Rangers. This game will definitely be a nail bitter, and a better performance will be needed as well. At this point of the season, it’s really over for our Cats as much as I hate to admit it. We’ve dropped too many games and are behind by quite a fair difference. In order for us to make the playoffs, we must win all our games. Unfortunately, that’s a very hard task to ask of the boys to do..

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