#HEAT NOTEBOOK: Howard, Stephenson Meet-and-Greet Before Game 4 ... Confidence No Issue ... Former Dodgers Pitcher Does Anthem Honors Harmonically

Source: On Frozen Pond by George Richards

HEAT NOTEBOOK

BY GEORGE RICHARDSgrichards@MiamiHerald.com

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

INDIANAPOLIS – Juwan Howard had something to say to Lance Stephenson and made sure he did.

A day after searching out Stephenson before the Heat's practice at the Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Howard walked over to the Pacers' rookie forward as he was warming up before Sunday's game and gave him a piece of his mind. 

Howard was spotted chest-to-chest with Stephenson and at one point put his finger in Stephenson's face.

Former Heat player and current Pacers assistant coach Brian Shaw separated the two and walked Howard back toward the Miami side of the court. 

That was about all the action the two saw on Sunday. Neither played in Miami's 101-93 victory in Game 4 of the best-of-7 series. 

“We're just two men who have a difference of opinion. That's all,'' Howard said after the game. “As far as our differences go, it's over with. It's the past now.''

Stephenson has drawn the ire of the Heat throughout the series for his chirping from the Pacers bench – and for putting his hands around his neck in a choke sign when LeBron James missed a free throw during Indiana's win in Game 3.

Stephenson apologized to James and the Heat for the gesture the on Saturday.

According to the Indianapolis Star, Howard told a couple of Pacers players to relay a message to Stephenson for him on Saturday. “Tell him I’m going to [mess] him up,” Howard told Dahntay Jones and Paul George according to the Star. 

Howard has a past with the much younger Stephenson as he took a pair of technicals and was ejected late in a blowout win here in February after confronting Stephenson. The two also met again during garbage time during Game 3.

“Right now we said what we had to,'' Howard said. “We move on. It's time to play the games. I said what I had to say. It's over with.'' 

NEWS, NOTES 

Starting point guard Mario Chalmers said the Heat have never suffered from a lack of confidence although Miami looked a little rattled early in Sunday's game. 

Indiana jumped out to a 9-0 run before LeBron James picked up Miami's first points at the 7:42 mark. The Heat would get a little more going after that, but through the first 4:18, the Heat turned the ball over (James, Turiaf and Chalmers struggled with the ball) five times. The Heat had 15 turnovers in the game – nine of those coming in the first 24 minutes. 

“Everyone had confidence whether we were up or down,'' said Chalmers, who scored all eight of his points in the first half after scoring a game-high 25 in Thursday's loss. “It's never a confidence factor with us.''

() Miami became the first team to hit the 100 point mark against the Pacers this postseason. Indiana beat Orlando in five games in the opening round.

() The Heat have had the national anthem performed on guitar before playoff games – and even had the late great Clarence Clemons do it on his tenor saxophone a few times.

On Sunday, the Pacers matched that by having it performed on a harmonica. 

And it was done perfectly by former Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Carl Erskine. Now 85, Erskine told USA Today he used to fiddle around with the mouth organ during his playing days but never performed an anthem in public until he did so before a Dodgers fantasy camp. 

() IndyCar driver and Heat fan Ryan Hunter-Reay missed Sunday's game as he was at the speedway for 'bump day.'

Hunter-Reay didn't need to qualify on this Sunday before the big race as he did last year; the Fort Lauderdale resident turned the third-best average time on Saturday and will start the 96th Indianapolis 500 from the front row.

Hunter-Reay said after Saturday's run that he would be following the Heat game – from a few miles away. Hunter-Reay attended Thursday's game and watched it from a sponsor's luxury suite.

() Shane Battier on the challenge of playing against David West: “I'm just trying to make him work. I'm giving up about 40 pounds and he's a lot stronger than me. There's not much I can do about that except make him work for everything he gets.''

() As a number of his teammates got dressed for the flight back to Miami, James relaxed in front of his locker while reading 'The Hunger Games.'

Coyotes at Kings: WCF Game Four Open Thread

Source: Litter Box Cats by Donny Rivette

(3) Phoenix at (8) Los Angeles, 3 p.m. (NBC): With only a single loss since the regular season ended, the Kings have won eight straight games; a ninth today will carry them to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since - all together, now - 1993. The NHL record for consecutive playoff victories in a single postseason currently stands at 11 (CHI & PIT, '92; MON, '93).

Ilya Kovalchuk Shedding (Unfair) Label Of Playoff Bust

Source: The Rat Trick by David Lasseter

May 3, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing Ilya Kovalchuk (17) scores a goal on Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov (30) during the first period in game three of the 2012 Eastern Conference semifinals at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-US PRESSWIRE

“Yeah, but what has he done in the playoffs?” was the typical response whenever anyone wanted to take a shot at New Jersey Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk. And, on the surface, it seemed like a safe arguement. After all, since his first year in the NHL (2001-02), his teams have only seen the postseason twice. And even then, those teams only managed one win between them before being ushered out of the playoffs in the first round. Much of the blame fell upon the shoulders of the big Russian, fairly or unfairly.
… [visit site to read more]

Ilya Kovalchuk Shedding (Unfair) Label Of Playoff Bust - The Rat Trick - The Rat Trick - A Florida Panthers Blog

Memorial Cup opening loss draws the ire of Saint John coach Gerard Gallant (Yahoo! Sports)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Memorial Cup opening loss draws the ire of Saint John coach Gerard Gallant

Rangers vs Devils: ECF Game Three Open Thread

Source: Litter Box Cats by Donny Rivette

(1) NY Rangers at (6) New Jersey, 1 p.m. (NBC). With series tied at 1 apiece, action heads to Newark. Leading scorers: Chris Kreider, Dan Girardi, Artem Anisimov - 3 points (NYR); Bryce Salvador - 2 points (NJ). Goaltenders - Martin Brodeur: 2.02/.923; Henrik Lundqvist: 1.51/.938. Series is tied at 1-1.

Jacob Markstrom: The Future Or The Present?

Source: The Rat Trick by justenrosenberg

Jacob Markstrom: The Future Or The Present? - The Rat Trick - The Rat Trick - A Florida Panthers Blog

Florida Panther Player Ratings: Wojtek Wolski

Source: The Rat Trick by David Rodriguez

Florida Panther Player Ratings: Wojtek Wolski - The Rat Trick - The Rat Trick - A Florida Panthers Blog

Florida Panther Player Rating: Shawn Matthias

Source: The Rat Trick by gabbykiger

Florida Panther Player Rating: Shawn Matthias - The Rat Trick - The Rat Trick - A Florida Panthers Blog

Check out Jonathan Huberdeau, the Panthers top prospect

Source: SunSentinal.com by Harvey Fialkov

For those Panthers fans who want to get a close-up look at Panthers prospect Jonathan Huberdeau NHL Network is televising the Memorial Cup tournament. Huberdeau plays for the Saint John Sea Dogs but next season I’m betting he’s playing for your Panthers. He’s too talented to send back to juniors and too young to play in the AHL.

Sat., May 19 Saint John vs. London 7:00 p.m. (LIVE)
Sun., May 20 Saint John vs. London 10:00 a.m. (tape delay)
Tue., May 22 Saint John vs. Edmonton 1:00 p.m. (tape delay)

LBC's All-Time Florida Panthers Roster Countdown: 234-230

Source: Litter Box Cats by Kevin Kraczkowski

Welcome back to the first edition of the All-Time Panthers Roster Countdown, Volume XII. If you need to know how this list came into reality (poof!), click here.

Yesterday, we went over the brief Florida careers of centers Mike Green and Petr Taticek, left winger Patrick Rissmiller, defenseman Nolan Yonkman, and right winger Paul Brousseau. Today, for your browsing enjoyment, we have a defenseman, two centers, a right winger and a left winger.

If you think you know who's coming after the jump, you may be right...but probably not.

234.

John Tortorella Coach Of The Year? No, No, No. Leave That Media Devil In The Room

Source: The Rat Trick by Frank Rekas

 

Mandatory Credit: Christopher Szagola-US PRESSWIRE

visit site to read more]

John Tortorella Coach Of The Year? No, No, No. Leave That Media Devil In The Room - The Rat Trick - The Rat Trick - A Florida Panthers Blog

THN: Panthers Post-Mortem

Source: Litter Box Cats by Donny Rivette

THN: Panthers Post-Mortem

Bobby Lou AND Olli in the same breath? Maybe I will have that third cup of coffee...

()

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Slovakia's Tomas Kopecky opens the scoring against Cam Ward in an eventual 4-3 regulation victory...

Source: Litter Box Cats by Donny Rivette

Slovakia's Tomas Kopecky opens the scoring against Cam Ward in an eventual 4-3 regulation victory over Canada Thursday. Kopy's club takes on the Czech Republic in IIHF WHC semifinal action Saturday; full tourney schedule here.

HEAT NOTEBOOK: Erik Spoelstra's Changing Lineup ... D-Wade Says Bosh in Good Spirits ...

Source: On Frozen Pond by George Richards

HEAT NOTEBOOK

BY GEORGE RICHARDS grichards@MiamiHerald.com

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

INDIANAPOLIS – Erik Spoelstra's starting lineup for Thursday's Game 3 against the Pacers was a closely guarded secret.

Spoelstra refused to divulge his starting five at the morning shootaround and again at his pre-game press conference less than two hours before tip-off.

“I'll turn in my card in the next 45 minutes,'' Spoelstra said.

If Dexter Pittman starting at center was looked at as some sort of secret weapon, well, it was a short lived one.

Pittman, making his postseason debut, didn't last long Thursday as he played the opening 3:29 and sat through the end of the third quarter.

Pittman, a second-year center out of Texas, missed two shots in those first few minutes of the game and was pulled after committing a loose ball foul under the Heat basket with Miami trailing 7-2.

With Chris Bosh out with an abdominal strain, Spoelstra made it very clear all – or at least most – hands were on deck for the Heat. By the start of the second quarter, the Heat had used 11 of its 13 active roster players.

By garbage time in the fourth, all 13 players made it onto the court.

Pittman was joined in the starting lineup by LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Mario Chalmers and Shane Battier. Joel Anthony replaced Pittman with 8:31 left in the first.

“Everything is going to be open from here on out,'' Spoelstra said Thursday afternoon. “It's not about the lineup for us.''

() Wade said Bosh is in good spirits after being hurt on Sunday – although he would much rather be in Indianapolis instead of rehabbing in South Florida. 

“The next day, Chris was in the locker room with everyone early in the morning,'' Wade said. “He's been around and he's starting his rehab process to get back on the court eventually.

"He's doing good mentally and he obviously wants to be playing. It sucks it came at this time.

"The biggest thing is there is a light at the end of the tunnel; there's a possibility he can come back. So that drives you.''

() James said he watched the second game between the Lakers and Thunder late Wednesday night and didn't have a problem with Steve Blake – a South Florida prep product – taking a 3-pointer in the final seconds of Los Angeles' 77-75 loss in Oklahoma City. 

The night before, Miami's Mario Chalmers lofted up a 3-pointer as the Heat trailed Indiana 78-75 with the clock winding down. Like Chalmers, Blake had a wide-open look. Like Blake, Chalmers missed.

“Those are the same shots Derek Fisher has hit multiple times for the Lakers,'' James said Thursday morning. “If Blake makes that shot, it's a whole different story.''

() Wade said the Heat weren't going to carry Tuesday's loss at AmericanAirlines Arena into Thursday's game in Indiana.

“When you win, you move on the next one. Same when you lose,'' Wade said. “Game 3 is Game 3. We're coming into a tough environment and trying to win. We've been here before. We have to win a basketball game. The edge is there for both teams. We're going for 48 minutes to see who gets it. 

“We're getting to the point in this series where there won't be a lot of surprises on personnel or play calling. There may be some wrinkles here or there, but not many surprises''

() Indiana's David West said complaints about his team's postgame celebration after winning in Miami on Tuesday were a bit overblown. 

“It's a tough game. Anytime you win in the playoffs, especially on the road, you're going to be excited,'' he said.

“I thought, for the most part, we did a good job getting off the floor. We didn't play a great game. It's good to get a win, but not to celebrate after winning like that. We know as a group we can play better.'' 

NOT ENOUGH: Miami Heat Get 25 Points from Mario Chalmers, Lose Big in Indy to Pacers

Source: On Frozen Pond by George Richards

BY GEORGE RICHARDS grichards@MiamiHerald.com

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

INDIANAPOLIS – Thank goodness for Mario Chalmers on Thursday night. Who knows how bad it would have been for the Miami Heat without him.

As it was, the Heat were run out of the gym 94-75 by the Pacers as Indiana took a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinals.

Chalmers led all scorers with 25 points – thisclose to the 27 points LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (five) combined for. 

“It's good to see him be aggressive and that's what we need from him,'' coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We need him to be offensive minded, get into the paint and make plays as another ball-handler and playmaker. He also has to run the team. He has a lot of responsibility. This will help moving forward.''

Chalmers, coming off a rough outing in Sunday's loss in Miami, turned up his game on Thursday as his eight points in the first quarter were almost as many as he scored in the opening two games of the series (nine).

Chalmers' 25 points set a personal postseason record, topping the 20 points he scored against Boston (2010) and Philadelphia (2011). 

With both James and Wade struggling from the field, Chalmers was Miami's unexpected offensive force, carrying the Heat to what was a short-lived comeback midway through the fourth.  

In the fourth, with the Heat down 18, Chalmers went on a personal 7-0 run he kicked off with a 30-foot shot. Chalmers' run – and the nice dish to Wade that the Heat star easily put in for just his second field goal of the night – brought Miami to within 11 points with plenty of time remaining.

Yet Chalmers didn't score again after that – and the Heat watched Indiana retake control of the game. Chalmers said he fell hard on his wrist but X-rays were negative. Although the wrist is sore, Chalmers said he'll be fine for Sunday's Game 4.

“On the plane, I spoke with D-Wade and he told me with Bosh out this was my chance to step up,'' Chalmers said. “The main thing for me was staying out of foul trouble. I did that in the first two games, couldn't get into a rhythm and help my team. That wasn't the case [Thursday].''

With Chalmers playing the way he was, Norris Cole didn't get the looks he did in Game 2. With Chalmers in foul trouble and struggling from the field, Cole was brought in for his most substantive play since Game 1 of the opening-round series against the Knicks. On Tuesday, picked up five fouls and ended with five points on 2-of-10 shooting.

“I have to stay out of foul trouble,'' he said. “That's the bottom line.''

Cole grew up in nearby Dayton, Ohio – about a one-hour drive east of Indianapolis on I-70 – and figured he had at least 30 cheering him on Thursday.

“My family is real close to here so they're coming to show support for myself and the team,'' said Cole, a Cleveland State product. 

“Being in the playoffs, being on the road and having the ability to have family come and watch is great. I'm enjoying this ride. I had a great college experience and now I'm with one of the best teams in the world with some of the best players in the world. This is great.''

After playing 11:37 in the opener against the Knicks, Cole rarely left the bench in the following two games and didn't see any action in the final two of that series. 

Cole was benched for the third straight game in Sunday's series opener against the Pacers, but with Chalmers struggling, Cole played 17:08 in Game 2. Cole was 2-for-2 from the field and dished out an assist.

“As a competitor, you want to play. But you want to do what's best for the team so I just had to stay ready,'' he said. “I prepared as if I was going to play. When my number was called, I was ready to step in and perform. It's all about staying prepared because coaches are making adjustments on the fly. You have to stay ready. This is our job, playing at the highest level.''

Spoelstra said Cole's preparation and mental state will serve him well when called upon. Cole was scoreless on one shot in 9:34 on Thursday.

“He kept himself ready and is tough as nails,'' Spoelstra said before Thursday's game. “You get into a competitive and physical series here, and well, that fits his nature. Because of the circumstances with Chris Bosh being out, it affects every part of our rotation. Everyone has to be ready.''

NOT ENOUGH: #Heat Get 25 Points from Mario Chalmers, Lose Big in Indiana to #Pacers

Source: On Frozen Pond by George Richards

BY GEORGE RICHARDS grichards@MiamiHerald.com

TWITTER: @GeorgeRichards

INDIANAPOLIS – Thank goodness for Mario Chalmers on Thursday night. Who knows how bad it would have been for the Miami Heat without him.

As it was, the Heat were run out of the gym 94-75 by the Pacers as Indiana took a 2-1 series lead in the best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinals.

Chalmers led all scorers with 25 points – thisclose to the 27 points LeBron James and Dwyane Wade (five) combined for. 

“It's good to see him be aggressive and that's what we need from him,'' coach Erik Spoelstra said. “We need him to be offensive minded, get into the paint and make plays as another ball-handler and playmaker. He also has to run the team. He has a lot of responsibility. This will help moving forward.''

Chalmers, coming off a rough outing in Sunday's loss in Miami, turned up his game on Thursday as his eight points in the first quarter were almost as many as he scored in the opening two games of the series (nine).

Chalmers' 25 points set a personal postseason record, topping the 20 points he scored against Boston (2010) and Philadelphia (2011). 

With both James and Wade struggling from the field, Chalmers was Miami's unexpected offensive force, carrying the Heat to what was a short-lived comeback midway through the fourth.  

In the fourth, with the Heat down 18, Chalmers went on a personal 7-0 run he kicked off with a 30-foot shot. Chalmers' run – and the nice dish to Wade that the Heat star easily put in for just his second field goal of the night – brought Miami to within 11 points with plenty of time remaining.

Yet Chalmers didn't score again after that – and the Heat watched Indiana retake control of the game. Chalmers said he fell hard on his wrist but X-rays were negative. Although the wrist is sore, Chalmers said he'll be fine for Sunday's Game 4.

“On the plane, I spoke with D-Wade and he told me with Bosh out this was my chance to step up,'' Chalmers said. “The main thing for me was staying out of foul trouble. I did that in the first two games, couldn't get into a rhythm and help my team. That wasn't the case [Thursday].''

With Chalmers playing the way he was, Norris Cole didn't get the looks he did in Game 2. With Chalmers in foul trouble and struggling from the field, Cole was brought in for his most substantive play since Game 1 of the opening-round series against the Knicks. On Tuesday, picked up five fouls and ended with five points on 2-of-10 shooting.

“I have to stay out of foul trouble,'' he said. “That's the bottom line.''

Cole grew up in nearby Dayton, Ohio – about a one-hour drive east of Indianapolis on I-70 – and figured he had at least 30 cheering him on Thursday.

“My family is real close to here so they're coming to show support for myself and the team,'' said Cole, a Cleveland State product. 

“Being in the playoffs, being on the road and having the ability to have family come and watch is great. I'm enjoying this ride. I had a great college experience and now I'm with one of the best teams in the world with some of the best players in the world. This is great.''

After playing 11:37 in the opener against the Knicks, Cole rarely left the bench in the following two games and didn't see any action in the final two of that series. 

Cole was benched for the third straight game in Sunday's series opener against the Pacers, but with Chalmers struggling, Cole played 17:08 in Game 2. Cole was 2-for-2 from the field and dished out an assist.

“As a competitor, you want to play. But you want to do what's best for the team so I just had to stay ready,'' he said. “I prepared as if I was going to play. When my number was called, I was ready to step in and perform. It's all about staying prepared because coaches are making adjustments on the fly. You have to stay ready. This is our job, playing at the highest level.''

Spoelstra said Cole's preparation and mental state will serve him well when called upon. Cole was scoreless on one shot in 9:34 on Thursday.

“He kept himself ready and is tough as nails,'' Spoelstra said before Thursday's game. “You get into a competitive and physical series here, and well, that fits his nature. Because of the circumstances with Chris Bosh being out, it affects every part of our rotation. Everyone has to be ready.''

Coyotes vs Kings: WCF Game Three Open Thread

Source: Litter Box Cats by Donny Rivette

(3) Phoenix at (8) Los Angeles, 9 p.m. (NBCSN): Western Conference Final action shifts to Hollywood as the Kings seek to build on a 2-0 series lead, headlined by forwards Dwight King and Jeff Carter (3 goals each). Avon Old Farms (yeeeeah!) alum Jonathan Quick continues his postseason MVP push with a 10-1 record (1.45/.951). Coyotes have been outscored 8-2, including a shutout loss on Tuesday. After flying through the opening rounds, G Mike Smith (8-5 overall) has come up dry against L.A., though his .920 save percentage remains impressive considering the abundance of shots (87 in two games) his defense has allowed.

Boston Bruins at the World Championship Update for May 17: Fan's Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Boston Bruins fans will get to enjoy a different kind of deep playoff run as the two Bruins in the IIHF World Championship advance to the semifinals and keep their medal hopes alive. Sure, it's not the Stanley Cup Playoffs, but either Zdeno Chara or David Krejci could very well bring their home country some glory soon.

ESPN's Cowherd weirdly slams Miami Herald's GR, hockey writers

Source: Litter Box Cats by Donny Rivette

ESPN's Cowherd weirdly slams Miami Herald's GR, hockey writers

"The guy covering the Florida Panthers, he was at a floral show early in the week."

Were we really expecting any other attitude from the "Worldwide Leader"? More via AwfulAnnouncing.com above.

Finns, Russia go through, Slovaks upset Canada (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Holders Finland advanced to the semi-finals of the world ice hockey championships with a last-gasp winner against the United States on Thursday, but Olympic champions Canada were shocked by Slovakia.

Finns and Russia go through, Slovaks upset Canada (AFP)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Reigning champions Finland advanced into the semi-finals of the world ice hockey championships with a last-gasp winner against the USA, but Olympic gold medallists Canada suffered a shock loss to Slovakia.

A good bet is that at least some of the denizens of the NHL’s head office do not like [John]...

Source: Litter Box Cats by Donny Rivette

A good bet is that at least some of the denizens of the NHL’s head office do not like [John] Tortorella’s act any more than the media does. With TV ratings in the U.S. climbing, the prospect of a New York-Los Angeles final is tantalizing. Anything viewed as threatening all that media attention makes some league executives reach for the Maalox, although in his own way Tortorella can create more attention, at least in the short term.

More from the Globe and Mail's David Shoalts

Garrison making the rounds

Source: SunSentinal.com by Harvey Fialkov

It seems that Panthers soon-to-be free agent defenseman Jason Garrison is making the rounds. He told a radio station in Vancouver yesterday that his hometown Canucks would be his second choice if Panthers don’t work out. He also spoke to The Province, a Vancouver newspaper. Here are some excerpts of his comments in The Province.

“It’s always nice to be wanted and if that’s the case and you have a quality that they like, obviously it’s my hometown team and I grew up watching them play,” said Garrison, who played with Canucks winger Mason Raymond at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. “My friends and family are big Canuck fans and would love to see me play at home but you’ve got to be the right fit for a team. You want to be able to contribute.”

“Teams are so good at shot blocking and getting into the lanes,” said Garrison. “It’s about moving around and trying to lose your coverage a bit. It’s being aware of the situation and most of the time it’s faking shots and moving laterally and getting shots to the net and past that first guy. Campbell is a very good passer and he’s always able to find anybody. We developed real good chemistry and it’s easy to play with him because he’s an elite player.

“It has definitely built my confidence up and get to where I’m at. I always thought I could produce and this has made me realize there are no limits to where you can take your game and I don’t want it to end here. I want to be a better player.”

“I like playing physically, but over the past couple of years it’s been learning to play positionally and that’s the biggest thing,” added Garrison. “You don’t want to be running around and get caught out of position and I’ve developed that aspect and you can be more physical if you’re aware of what they’re going to do and how you can play them.”

Can’t see the Panthers letting him get away after what he did for their power play, I believe was the No. 1 ingredient for the team’s success this season.

Woe Canada! Slovaks send Team Canada packing - Worlds QF Update Thread (for those who care)

Source: Litter Box Cats by Todd Little

Canada is bounced from the World Championships as Handzus gets the late winner and Kopecky lights the lamp again.

Michal Handzus tipped in a shot with 2:32 to play in regulation with an assist to Andrej Sekera as Slovakia knocked out Canada 4-3 this morning at the IIHF World Hockey Championship in Helsinki. Panther Tomas Kopecky continued his torrid pace at the tourney

Panther Player Ratings: Keaton Ellerby

Source: The Rat Trick by justenrosenberg

 

Panther Player Ratings: Keaton Ellerby - The Rat Trick - The Rat Trick - A Florida Panthers Blog

Woe Canada! Slovaks send Team Canada packing -Worlds QF Update Thread (for those who care)

Source: Litter Box Cats by Todd Little

Canada is bounced from the World Championships as Handzus gets the late winner and Kopecky lights the lamp again.

Michal Handzus tipped in a shot with 2:32 to play in regulation with an assist to Andrej Sekera as Slovakia knocked out Canada 4-3 this morning at the IIHF World Hockey Championship in Helsinki. Panther Tomas Kopecky continued his torrid pace at the tourney

Woe Canada! Slovaks send Team Canada packing at Worlds

Source: Litter Box Cats by Todd Little

Canada is bounced from the World Championships as Handzus gets the late winner and Kopecky lights the lamp again.

Michal Handzus tipped in a shot with 2:32 to play in regulation with an assist to Andrej Sekera as Slovakia knocked out Canada 4-3 this morning at the IIHF World Hockey Championship in Helsinki. Panther Tomas Kopecky continued his torrid pace at the tourney

Rangers Have Bounces Break Against Them in Another Game 2: A Fan's Recap (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

The Philadelphia Flyers found out the price of not putting away the New Jersey Devils when they had the chance. Flyers fans like myself will point to Game 2 of the second round as proof, as they went from having a 1-0 lead after two periods to losing 4-1 and never recovering. Now the New York Rangers hope they won't have to look back on their rotten third period of Game 2 against the Devils in the same way.

LBC's All-Time Florida Panthers Roster Countdown: 239-235

Source: Litter Box Cats by Kevin Kraczkowski

Welcome back to today's edition of LBC's All-Time Florida Panthers Countdown. If you need to know how this whole thing works, click here for the details.

If you didn't tune in yesterday, we just recapped the Panthers careers of left wingers Alex Hicks and Tim Kennedy, right winger Ty Jones, defenseman Rocky Thompson, and goaltender Pokey Reddick. Today's entry features two centers, a right winger, a left winger, and a defenseman.

If you're interested, follow the jump for

Florida Panther Review: Jose Theodore. Better Than You Expected

Source: The Rat Trick by Frank Rekas

Florida Panther Review: Jose Theodore. Better Than You Expected - The Rat Trick - The Rat Trick - A Florida Panthers Blog

Santos wants to see Markstrom play a full - healthy - season

Source: Litter Box Cats by Spencer-IV

Santos wants to see Markstrom play a full - healthy - season

From the Sun Sentinel, in case you missed it.

Devils vs Rangers: Game Two Open Thread

Source: Litter Box Cats by Donny Rivette

Last night's WCF result (8) Los Angeles over (3) Phoenix, 4-0: Kings rattled off another 40-shot effort on Mike Smith (36 saves) in a game which opened floodgates on the physical stuff, generated completely by frustration; witness calls made against the Coyotes: 1 hooking, 1 tripping, 2 slashing, 3 roughing, 2 boarding, 1 kneeing, 2 majors, and 3 misconducts. Jonathan Quick stopped 24 shots for the shutout. LA leads series 2-0, head to Staples Center tomorrow.
Tonight's ECF action: (6) New Jersey at (1) NY Rangers, 8 p.m. (NBCSN): Dan Girardi, Artem Anisimov, and Chris Kreider each notched 1G/1A while Henrik Lundqvist made 21 saves for a 3-0 New York victory in the series opener on Monday. Devils' Zach Parise

Panthers UFA Garrison: "dream come true" to play for hometown Canucks

Source: Litter Box Cats by Donny Rivette

Panthers UFA Garrison: "dream come true" to play for hometown Canucks

Devils vs. Rangers in Game 2; top NHL free agents; top 10 playoff saves (Playoff Puck Previews) (Puck Daddy)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Back by popular demand, here are your Puck Previews: Spotlighting the key games in NHL action, news and views as well as general frivolity. Make sure to stop back here for the nightly Three Stars when the games are finished. Via Lockhart Steele on Twitter: "Guy wants to sell me these for $150 each. seeing Callahan lay out Deron Williams worth it? Thoughts?" Insert your shot-blocking and/or goaltending joke here. [ Deadspin , s/t @Tedislaw ] Eastern Conference Final Game 2 Preview: New Jersey Devils at New York Rangers, 8 p.m. ET. No lineup changes for the Rangers but the Devils could have a new look for Game 2: Coach Pete DeBoer reunited Zach Parise with Travis Zajac and Ilya Kovalchuk, and will have Patrik Elias skating with Petr Sykora and Dainius Zubrus. The Devils are going to try to find a way around the Rangers' shot blocking that doesn't involve maiming. By the way, that whole "keep Rangers fans out of the Rock" thing the Devils were doing? It's disappeared, and the team hasn't explained why. Check out previews and updated scores for all of today's games on the Y! Sports NHL scores and scheds page . For tonight's starting goalies, check out Left Wing Lock. Evening Reading • Listen to today's Marek Vs. Wyshynski here. • Adam Proteau presents the top 10 UFAs this summer. You know Nos. 1 and 2; did you know No. 3 was Dennis Wideman of the Washington Capitals? [ THN ]

Panthers Big RED BBQ On May 22 Sold Out

Source: NHL.com

Sunrise, Fla. – Sunrise Sports & Entertainment announced today that the Florida Panthers’ first Big RED BBQ of the offseason is officially sold out with more than 600 RSVPs. The event will take place on Tuesday, May 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ...

Panthers asst. GM wants Markstrom to spend another year in AHL

Source: SunSentinal.com by Harvey Fialkov

Just had a long, enlightening chat with Panthers assistant GM Mike Santos today with most of the subject matter revolving around the importance of having a successful AHL franchise in San Antonio and how that trickles up to the parent NHL team. We also touched upon the Panthers free agents and RFAs situation.
While Mike didn’t definitively say who he and GM Dale Tallon were definitely bringing back, he did say that he would like goalie Jacob Markstrom to have one more full season in the AHL because he hasn’t had that yet due to knee injuries in the past two seasons. Tallon told me recently that he’s a huge Scott Clemmensen fan and that the door was still open for the soon-to-be 35-year old free agent to return. So if 1 and 1 equal 2, I’d say there’s an excellent chance that the Panthers will again go with Jose Theodore and Clem in the net next season.
Markstrom drew invaluable experience in the Rampage’s recently concluded playoff run to the conference semifinals but his 4-4 mark while allowing 26 goals was just OK.
I didn’t get the feeling that the Panthers were too keen on re-signing too many if any of the midseason free-agent veterans such as Marco Sturm, John Madden or Wojtek Wolski. Mikael Samuelsson and Krys Barch are possibilities but probably at a bargain price. Wolski was acquired for shootouts so once the playoffs began coach Kevin Dineen didn’t see a need for his limited services. While Santos is the reason the Panthers acquired forward Mike Santorelli from Nashville and gave him an extension, that doesn’t rule out the Panthers using Santorelli, who landed in Dineen’s doghouse this season, as trade bait to improve their draft position next month (23rd in first round).
Santos, like Tallon, made it clear that he wants to keep the winning pieces together and that would of course mean that free agent defenseman Jason Garrison and RFA forward Kris Versteeg are priority signings. He’s busy renegotiating an extension with the Rampage (currently under a 1-year deal with an option) as well as their ECHL affiliate in Cincinnati. Santos also needs to make offers to last year’s unsigned draft picks such as Logan Shaw or risk losing them. Of course, phenomenal forward Jonathan Huberdeau, who can play all three forward positions, is already signed. Santos indicated that Huberdeau and forward Quinton Howden will be given a full opportunity to make next year’s Panthers squad, with the older, stronger Howden closer to being ready. He’s a firm believer in not rushing prospects, particularly defensemen. While he is high on RFA defensemen Dmitry Kulikov and Keaton Ellerby, he believes they’d be far more advanced if the past regime didn’t bring them up so quickly. To that end, it’s likely that young defensemen Alex Petrovic and Colby Robak will begin next season in San Antonio and be the top two callups if injuries occur. Santos pointed to Erik Gudbranson’s minus-19 this season as exhibit A but he also pointed out that Gudbranson was too young to play in the AHL and he had nothing more to prove to a struggling junior franchise in Kingston. Conversely, Huberdeau just completed another remarkable season to help the Saint John Sea Dogs win their second straight President’s Cup in the QMJHL It wouldn’t surprise me if Ellerby and possibly Shawn Matthias were included in the aforementioned package to improve their draft status.
Santos said that young prospects Rocco Grimaldi and John McFarland, who had knee and shoulder surgeries respectively this season, should be fine by rookie development camp.
For more Panthers news check out my story later today.

Florida Panther Player Rating: Mike Weaver

Source: The Rat Trick by Scott Mullin

Florida Panther Player Rating: Mike Weaver - The Rat Trick - The Rat Trick - A Florida Panthers Blog

IIHF World Hockey Championship - Panthers Update

Source: Litter Box Cats by Donny Rivette

Preliminary-round play came to an end Tuesday as Marcel Goc and Team Germany found themselves on the receiving end of an 8-1 slaughter by the Czech Republic from Stockholm's Globe Arena. The Group S Germans finished out of playoff action with a 2-5 record "highlighted" by a minus-17 goal differential. Goc, his club's captain, recorded zero points, a minus-2, and 5 SOG in seven tournament games.

On a somewhat happier note from Helsinki, Tomas Kopecky nabbed an assist as Team Slovakia defeated France 5-4 to secure the privilege of facing Group H-leading Canada (6-0-1)

Panthers prospect inks with U. of Wisconsin

Source: Litter Box Cats by badger737

Panthers prospect inks with U. of Wisconsin

A little something of substance regarding Eddie Wittchow from our friends at Bucky's Fifth Quarter. UW has produced scores of high-quality d-men the past decade or so.

Panther prospect inks with U. of Wisconsin

Source: Litter Box Cats by badger737

Panther prospect inks with U. of Wisconsin

A little something of substance regarding Eddie Wittchow from our friends at Bucky's Fifth Quarter. UW has produced scores of high-quality d-men the past decade or so.

THW: Semin to Florida...brilliance or madness?

Source: Litter Box Cats by Donny Rivette

THW: Semin to Florida...brilliance or madness?

LBC's All-Time Florida Panthers Roster Countdown: 244-240

Source: Litter Box Cats by Kevin Kraczkowski

Welcome to Volume 10 of LBC's All-Time Florida Panthers Roster Countdown. If you're interested to know how the list was calculated, check it out here.

Yesterday, we touched on the careers of Doug Barrault, Hugh Jessiman, David Emma, Chris Wells, and Eric Beaudoin. Moving forward, today we will look at two left wingers, a right winger, a defenseman, and the first goaltender on the list.

Click on through, if you feel the need for speed.

244.

Florida Panthers Prospect Jonathan Huberdeau Continues to Impress: A Fan’s Take (Yahoo! Contributor Network)

Source: Yahoo! Sports

Most Florida Panthers fans already know the name Jonathan Huberdeau and if they don't, it will be fresh on everyone's lips next season. Huberdeau was only 17 years old when he was drafted by the Panthers in the first round (third overall) of the 2011 NHL entry draft. The Cats aren't quite ready to call the kid up to the NHL yet but he will be a huge asset in the near future.

Kings vs Coyotes: WCF Game Two - LBC Open Thread

Source: Litter Box Cats by Donny Rivette

West we go as the 'Yotes attempt to salvage a split in their series-opening homestand...

(8) Los Angeles at (3) Phoenix, 9 p.m. (NBCSN): despite allowing 3 goals Sunday, Mike Smith finished the night with a .936 SV% (stopped 44; his club blocked 25). Jonathan Quick allowed 2 on 27 shots. Dustin Brown: 1G/1A, 7 SOG in 19:34 TOI during Game One. Kings lead series 1-0.

Red Light: Analyzing Torts

Source: Litter Box Cats by Donny Rivette

Red Light: Analyzing Torts

Videos galore featuring everyone's favorite press conference subject via SI.com/Hackel

Wolski: a keeper or not

Source: SunSentinal.com by Harvey Fialkov

Wojtek Wolski is a restricted free agent. The funny thing is that GM Dale Tallon was sure he was unrestricted when we spoke to him in his season wrap-up which might mean that he has no intention of extending him an offer. Or, he simply forgot.
Wolski was acquired on Feb. 25 from the Rangers for prospects defenseman Mike Vernace and a third-round selection in 2013 to help the Panthers on the offensive end, particularly in shootouts where they were a horrid 6-11. Assistant GM Mike Santos was aware of Wolski’s shootout prowess when he converted 10 of 12 for Colorado in the 2008-09 season, a single-season record in shootout percentage. He immediately paid dividends with nine points in 23 games, including four goals. He scored a goal in his first game to help the Panthers beat Carolina, and he was 3 of 7 in shootouts (tying for the team lead) which helped win two more games.
Without Wolski, the Panthers might not have won the division or made the playoffs. However, his reputation of not wanting to go into the dirty areas followed him to South Florida. Wolski was injured for much of the early season and by the time he was healthy the Rangers were flying and couldn’t find a spot for him.
Panthers coach Kevin Dineen, who made his living in the dirty areas, made Wolski a healthy scratch in the last five games of the seven-game playoff series with the Devils, although the Panthers were desperate for offense. He’s only 26 and clearly possesses offensive skills that the Panthers lack. But he was making $4 million this year, a figure that is unrealistic for the Panthers or any other team to extend to Wolski.
What say you? Stay or nay for Wolski?