Panthers News

Pothier carries Capitals past Panthers
"Playing without Alex Ovechkin is one thing, but the Washington Capitals were losing a player a period Friday night. Thanks to a three-point night from Brian Pothier and 28 saves by Jose Theodore, the short-handed Caps ended a three-game losing skid with a 4-1 victory against the Florida Panthers at BankAtlantic Center Ovechkin missed his second game with an upper-body strain, but the Caps lost defensemen Mike Green, Jeff Schultz and Shaone Morrisonn during this contest. Green took only four shifts in the first period before leaving with an undisclosed injury. Schultz went to the dressing after two shifts in the second and also did not return. To make matters worse, Morrisonn was ..."
Dvorak dons knee brace, skates with teammates
"Radek Dvorak didn't need surgery on his left knee, but he will have to wear a brace for a while. The Panthers' veteran winger is fine with the hindrance -- so long as he can play as soon as possible. Dvorak practiced with the Panthers on Friday for the first time since being taken out on a knee-on-knee hit delivered by Philadelphia's Darroll Powe on Oct. 24. Dvorak said being back on the ice with his teammates was a welcome respite from the hard skating administered by assistant coach Mike Kitchen, with whom Dvorak has been working since returning this week. ``I've been skating with Kitch for three days on my own, so this was nice,'' said Dvorak. ``I need to go out there for practice to ..."
Blown chances end Florida Panthers' win streak
"Alex Ovechkin was the biggest name out of the Washington lineup Friday night, but the Capitals also lost Mike Green and Jeff Schultz to undisclosed injuries in the first two periods. Didn't seem to slow the Capitals even a little bit. Washington took advantage of two scoring chances in the first 31 minutes and held off the Panthers in the third for a 4-1 victory. Florida came into the game with wins in three consecutive games. Washington had lost three in a row. The two teams meet again Saturday night in Washington. ``The key to the game was they won every loose puck battle,'' coach Pete DeBoer said. ``They were a desperate team: they lost three in a row, had some players out. We've been ..."
Sources indicate a shift in Panthers' ownership
"Alan Cohen's days as majority owner of the Panthers are numbered, as two partners in his ownership group are expected to take control of the team, sources said. Panthers Vice Chairman Cliff Viner and Managing Director Stu Siegel, both Boca Raton businessmen, have reached agreement to buy as much as half of Cohen's approximately 43 percent share of the team, a source said. They will become co-general partners, other sources said. The agreement has not been signed but is expected to be announced next week. Cohen is to retain a stake but will no longer be making team decisions. Panthers fans are desperate for change. The team has not made the playoffs since 2000, the longest playoff drought ..."
Panthers' win streak snapped against Capitals
"Jose Theodore stopped 28 shots, Brian Pothier had a goal and two assists and the Washington Capitals beat the Florida Panthers 4-1 on Friday night to break a three-game losing streak. Brendan Morrison scored twice and Tyler Sloan added a goal for the Capitals (9-3-4) in the opening contest of home-and-home series with the Panthers."
Short-handed Caps end three-game skid
"Playing without Alex Ovechkin is one thing, but the Washington Capitals were losing a player a period Friday night. Thanks to a three-point night from Brian Pothier, 28 saves by Jose Theodore and some excellent late work on the penalty kill, the short-handed Caps ended a three-game skid with a 4-1 victory against the Florida Panthers at BankAtlantic Center. "You can't replace Alex Ovechkin, and you can't really replace Mike Green - there's only two guys in the league that do what they do," Pothier said. "We had to play a different style of hockey tonight. We had to play really intelligent hockey. We couldn't give up chances, and our goaltender had to be good. I thought we did all those ..."
Pothier carries Capitals past Panthers
"Playing without Alex Ovechkin is one thing, but the Washington Capitals were losing a player a period Friday night. Thanks to a three-point night from Brian Pothier and 28 saves by Jose Theodore, the short-handed Caps ended a three-game losing skid with a 4-1 victory against the Florida Panthers at BankAtlantic Center Ovechkin missed his second game with an upper-body strain, but the Caps lost defensemen Mike Green, Jeff Schultz and Shaone Morrisonn during this contest. Green took only four shifts in the first period before leaving with an undisclosed injury. Schultz went to the dressing after two shifts in the second and also did not return. To make matters worse, Morrisonn was assessed a ..."
Capitals win, lose Green and Schultz
"Just when it seemed Washington's injury woes couldn't get any worse, they did. With the team already missing two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin, defensemen Mike Green and Jeff Schultz both went down with injuries Friday night at BankAtlantic Center, where the short-handed Capitals gutted out a 4-1 victory over the Florida Panthers. Brendan Morrison scored twice, Tyler Sloan and Brian Pothier each tallied once and goaltender José Theodore was occasionally spectacular in making 28 saves to snap Washington's three-game losing streak. But the Capitals' collective health was their biggest concern as the players and coaches headed back home for Saturday night's rematch against Florida at Verizon Center. ..."
Florida Panthers' David Booth to start physical activity soon
"Florida Panthers winger David Booth said Thursday he expects to start exercising in the next day or two, though doctors won't allow him to do anything more strenuous than about 10 minutes on a bike. Booth has been restricted from physical activity since suffering his first-ever concussion Oct. 24 during a game against the Flyers in Philadelphia. He said he has gone for walks and relaxed in the pool. "You start to get anxious when you haven't done anything for so long," Booth said. "This is the longest I've ever gone without doing anything. I don't like it, but it is part of the process and you have to stick with the program." Booth said Thursday he felt much better than the days ..."
McCabe on the brink of milestone
"Panthers' defenseman Bryan McCabe hasn't forgotten how nervous he was before his first NHL game 14 years ago against the Bruins in Boston. "I remember being across from Ray Borque and my legs were shaking during the anthem," said McCabe, who started his career with the Islanders and was in the starting lineup that night. "It was a dream come true." With a laugh, he added, "I think I had probably 10 penalty minutes, too, that game -- minors for tripping and hooking." Friday night, McCabe will play in his 1,000th career game. He'll become the seventh player to do so in a Panthers' sweater and first since Chris Gratton on March 22, 2007. Lyle Odelein, Greg Adams, Kirk Muller, Mike Foligno and ..."
Canes fall to Panthers
"One long streak came to an end Wednesday for the Carolina Hurricanes. But not another streak that has grown much too long for the Hurricanes' liking. The Florida Panthers outlasted the Canes 3-0 on Wednesday night at BankAtlantic Center. Make it 10 straight losses for the Hurricanes, who played without center Eric Staal for the first time since 2004 and whose misery and frustration continues. Steven Reinprecht gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead at 5:09 of the third when a Cory Stillman shot went off his shin pad and past Canes goaltender Cam Ward. Stillman added a power-play goal with 6:16 to play, and with Tomas Vokoun strong in net with 32 saves, Florida had all it needed. Staal had missed ..."
Fortuitous Panthers benefit from some `lucky' bounces
"When the Panthers put players in front of the net, something good usually happens -- especially when Steven Reinprecht is the one near the crease. Reinprecht scored his team-high ninth goal Wednesday night after a puck ricocheted off him, the fortuitous bounce helping to lift the Panthers to a 3-0 victory over the Hurricanes at BankAtlantic Center. Cory Stillman also scored after deflecting a puck while shielding Carolina goalie Cam Ward."
Horton getting praise for improved performance
"There are plenty of detractors who have been vocal in their belief winger Nathan Horton doesn't play with passion or gives it his all. Those critics have not had much to complain about lately. Horton, 24, is in the midst of one of his most impressive runs in his six seasons with the Panthers. Horton has one goal and six assists in his past four games, including Wednesday's scoreless game against the Hurricanes. Four of those assists have been on goals by linemate Steven Reinprecht. ``As long as you are contributing any way you can, that's the main thing,'' Horton said. ``It's been fun with Reinprecht and [Cory] Stillman. Reinprecht is hot right now, so we have to get him the puck.''"
Vokoun makes 32 saves for second-straight shutout
"There he was, camped out in front of the net, in the perfect place at the right time, as he has been so often the past three weeks. Steven Reinprecht didn't need to move to score the winning goal Wednesday night, just stand there and wait for Cory Stillman's shot to go in off his left shin pad. Reinprecht's goal a little more than five minutes into the third period led to the Panthers' 3-0 win against the Hurricanes at BankAtlantic Center — the third consecutive win for the Panthers and 10th straight loss for their Southeast Division rivals, who haven't won since beating the Panthers on Oct. 9 in Raleigh, N.C. "We found a way to get a win tonight," coach Pete DeBoer said. "It wasn't ..."
Florida Panthers coach shows faith in rookie forward
"Two days removed from his NHL debut, Victor Oreskovich still was as elated to be with the Panthers on Monday as he was when he walked into the visitors' locker room at Scottrade Center in St. Louis on Saturday to meet his new teammates. That enthusiasm was further stoked when Oreskovich learned he would play significant minutes his first time out. ``I just came in for the pregame snack and saw my name on the board, penciled in the third line,'' Oreskovich said Monday. The right wing retired from professional hockey in 2007 rather than try out for the Colorado Avalanche, but Panthers coach Pete DeBoer -- who coached Oreskovich during DeBoer's stint as coach for Canada's junior team -- said ..."
Panthers coach hopes turnaround has started
"Things can turn around pretty quickly in hockey, especially early in a season. The Panthers sure hope that's the case for them. Florida, after losing eight of its first 10, has won two consecutive games for the first time this season. The Panthers beat Dallas in a shootout 6-5 on Friday, then turned around and blanked the host Blues 4-0 on Saturday. And with three upcoming divisional games this week (two against Southeast-leading Washington) the Panthers need to keep this up. Coach Pete DeBoer sounded upbeat Sunday and said his team ``was feeling good about itself'' after the wins. DeBoer gave the team Sunday off. They will return to the ice Monday morning. ``We're not going to dig ..."
'Canes can commiserate
"Panthers coach Pete DeBoer and Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice, close friends for many years, exchanged text messages the other day about their early season predicaments. "I think misery loves company," DeBoer said with a laugh before Saturday's 4-0 win in St. Louis, "and neither of us is off to a great start. But the one thing we learned last year when both of us were sitting a long way outside of the playoffs is it's a long year and this is a marathon, not a sprint." The Hurricanes (2-8-3) lost their ninth consecutive game Sunday and are off to their worst start ever. The Panthers, despite back-to-back wins, are 4-7-1. The teams will play Wednesday at BankAtlantic Center. The Panthers, who ..."
Panthers' Vokoun blanks Blues
"As it turns out, Alex Pietrangelo's goal in the third period of the Blues' loss to Dallas on Oct. 24 was memorable for more reasons than one. It was Pietrangelo's first goal in the NHL, and two home games later, it remains the team's last goal at Scottrade Center. The Blues were shut out for the second straight game Saturday, losing 4-0 to the Florida Panthers, and have now gone 123 minutes, 50 seconds without scoring at home. The team has scored only seven goals in six games at Scottrade Center this season, and one was an empty-netter. The Blues registered a season-high 34 shots against Florida, giving them 66 in their last two games, but again they were kept off the board. "Whatever it ..."
Offensive surge boosts Florida Panthers to victory
"Tomas Vokoun was elated at finally winning his first game since a 4-3 victory over Chicago on opening night in Sweden. But he will always remain true as a friend in shutting out the St. Louis Blues 4-0 for his 32nd career shutout and beating his old Nashville netminding partner Chris Mason. ``I can't think of a better friend to have than Chris Mason,'' Vokoun said after stopping 34 shots to end his 0-7-1 slump. ``We were best of friends in Nashville and still are. We talk often . . . and I know our wives talk ever more often, trying to keep one another up to date with what is having with our families. ``He taught me a lot about battling and fighting to be better in goal. And he pushed me ..."
Panthers' Victor Oreskovich caps comeback bid with NHL debut
"Defenseman Keaton Ellerby and right wing Victor Oreskovich arrived in St. Louis from Rochester of the American Hockey League in time to join the Florida Panthers. Ellerby was called up just in case Bryan Allen couldn't play because of injury. Oreskovich, on the other hand, was recalled to replace Michal Repik in the lineup. It was the third game in four nights and the second in a back-to-back situation in their schedule for the Panthers and coach Pete DeBoer wanted at least one fresh body in the lineup. ``Have to go light, go to the go-to guys and Vic is bigger and stronger than Rep [Michal Repik],'' said DeBoer. ``He's a great story, getting his shot playing in his first NHL game. I ..."
Panthers top Blues 4-0 for first consecutive wins this season
"The three previous times the Panthers played on back-to-back nights this season, they looked like a tired team in the second game. And it showed in the results — three losses. Saturday was a different story, though. Riding the momentum of an emotional shootout win in Dallas the night before, the Panthers played a strong first period, seizing a two-goal lead on their way to a 4-0 win against the Blues at Scottrade Center. "We were a pretty fragile team going into this weekend," coach Pete DeBoer said. "This was exactly what we needed." With consecutive wins for the first time this season, they flew home Saturday night with renewed optimism and a more respectable record (4-7-1) that, ..."
Panthers owner in talks to step down as managing partner
"Unable to complete a sale of the team to an outside group, Panthers owner Alan Cohen is in serious discussions to step down as general partner and allow two of the team's minority owners to run the NHL franchise, a source said Friday. Cliff Viner and Stuart Siegel -- two deep-pocketed Palm Beach County-based businessmen -- have talked to the Panthers about increasing their ownership stakes and running the team, according to a league source briefed on the discussions. Speculation has focused on Viner running the team if Cohen relinquishes control. But one of three sources said recent talks have focused on Viner and Siegel running the team together. Cohen likely would keep a minority ..."
Panthers blow two leads but prevail in shootout
"Rostislav Olesz beat Dallas goalie Alex Auld with a backhanded flip shot in the third period, so when his name was called in the shootout, Olesz didn't think twice about making that move again. ``When Coach [Pete DeBoer] told me I was going second, I knew what I was going to do as I sat on the bench,'' he said with a smile. ``I knew it went in.'' Olesz's goal in the shootout was the difference as Florida beat the Stars 6-5 at AmericanAirlines Center. The goal by Olesz helped make the night memorable for Steve Reinprecht, whose first-period hat trick got the Panthers off to a great start. Olesz's goal clipped the goal cage and circled through. It was initially waved off, but the replay ..."
Center records fastest hat trick in club history
"After going scoreless in his first five games as a Panther, center Steven Reinprecht received "a tongue-lashing" over the phone from his biggest fan and critic — Paul in Edmonton. Also known as his dad. Ever since that conversation, Reinprecht hasn't just returned to being the player he'd been. He's transformed into a scoring monster no one could have envisioned. Reinprecht recorded the fastest hat trick in franchise history Friday night against the Stars, scoring three goals in a span of 5:11 in the first 16 minutes. Still, the Panthers needed a shootout goal by Rostislav Olesz to beat the Stars 6-5 at AmericanAirlines Center and end a four-game skid with their third win of the season. ..."
Reinprecht, Olesz lift Panthers past Stars
"After going scoreless in his first five games as a Panther, center Steven Reinprecht received "a tongue-lashing" over the phone from his biggest fan and critic, Paul in Edmonton. Otherwise known as his dad. "Nobody knows my game better than him," Reinprecht said. Ever since that conversation following the game against the Lightning, Reinprecht hasn't just returned to being the player he'd been. He's transformed into a scoring monster that no one could have envisioned. Reinprecht recorded the fastest hat trick in franchise history Friday night against the Stars, scoring three goals in a span of 5:11, the second and third in a span of 29 seconds. Still, the Panthers needed a shootout goal by ..."
Dallas Stars let Panthers pounce in 6-5 shootout loss
"There was much for a Stars fan to be concerned about Friday night in a 6-5 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers at American Airlines Center. There was the lack of success in the NHL tiebreaker, with Dallas now 0-for-4 in shootouts. There was the tendency to get into shootouts of both varieties. The Stars went to the extra period for the sixth time this season, and they were in a shooting gallery type of game for the third time in the last four outings. And there was an alarming concern about leaving the front of the net uncovered while Florida was jumping all over rebounds en route to a 3-0 lead in the first period. Stars coach Marc Crawford, in his 1,000th NHL game, chose to concern ..."
History magnifies slow start for Florida Panthers
"For starters, the Panthers are not good ones. It has been eight seasons since Florida has been above .500 after 10 games. The same amount of time has passed since the last time the Panthers were above .500 after the first two months of the season. The 2-7-1 start to this season is the Panthers' worst since the 2000-01 season when Florida started 1-6-3-3. Over an 82-game season, such a start wouldn't be of overwhelming concern -- except when you factor in the team's history. ``I can guarantee almost every team in the league is going to go through a 10-game period like we've just gone through,'' Panthers coach Pete DeBoer said. ``Unfortunately, ours is right at the start, but it's magnified ..."
Despite better play, wins have been elusive
"If moral victories counted, the Panthers could easily have five wins instead of being in a 2-7-1 hole after 10 games. But despite outplaying the Senators in Wednesday's 4-3 loss — as well as the Penguins and Lightning in recent one-goal losses — a combination of ill-timed giveaways, unlucky bounces and special teams ranked near the bottom of the league have the Panthers mired in their second four-game losing streak of the season. "It's not about playing well; it's about results," said Panthers center Stephen Weiss, who scored his third goal Wednesday just two seconds after a second-period power play expired. "We're in a winning business. "We're good for periods and then we have lapses like ..."
Senators hold off Panthers
"For the Florida Panthers, they can't build that new arena in Quebec City fast enough. Unless the Phoenix Coyotes beat them there, the Panthers should be just about ready to become the next Quebec Nordiques as soon as the doors open in three or four years, maybe before that. It's difficult to believe that the National Hockey League has a future here. The 19,250-capacity BankAtlantic Centre was maybe half-filled for Wednesday's game between the Ottawa Senators and the Panthers. They can't even give tickets away. To make a dollar any way they can, they've slapped advertising on anything that moves: from timeouts to icing calls. They even sell a "ceremonial" opening faceoff for each game. It ..."
Puck bounces the other way as Florida Panthers lose 4-3 to Ottawa Senators
"The Panthers took another baby step toward respectability Wednesday night. Too bad moral victories don't count in the standings -- because improvement there is what the team desperately needs. When asked if it was tough being patient after his team's 4-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators, Panthers coach Pete DeBoer chuckled. ``That's an understatement,'' he said. The Panthers played one of their most complete games of the season against the Senators, outshooting the visitors and getting plenty of chances around the net. But Florida gave up three goals in the second period -- one a fluke shot that bounced off Bryan McCabe's skate -- and never fully recovered. A SOLID EFFORT ``That was by far our ..."
Koistinen in DeBoer's doghouse
"Ville Koistinen remains in the Panthers' lineup, but he's certainly not in coach Pete DeBoer's good graces. DeBoer used Koistinen for just five shifts Saturday against the Flyers — a season-low ice time of 3:19 — and all but said after Wednesday's morning skate that he doesn't trust him in a role beyond fourth-line forward. The Panthers signed Koistinen, 27, to a two-year, $2.4 million free-agent contract this summer with the expectation he'd be one of their top six defensemen. Instead, he's been a winger the first 10 games. The two times DeBoer has given Bryan Allen a game off to rest his knee, the team has called up defenseman Jason Garrison from the AHL rather than moving Koistinen back ..."
Level of play rises, yet skid gets longer
"Coach Pete DeBoer said he doesn't feel like the Panthers are a 2-7-1 team. They certainly didn't feel like they were Wednesday night, with the way they played against the Senators. But even arguably the team's best effort of the season wasn't enough for a win. The Panthers fell 4-3 at BankAtlantic Center, and have lost four consecutive games and eight of their past nine. "The only way we're going to change what's going on is the guys in here," said defenseman Jordan Leopold, who had two assists. "Nobody else is going to do it for us. The fans aren't going to do it for us. Coaches aren't going to do it. ...We played better, but obviously we can't be satisfied with that." The Panthers led ..."
'09 top draft picks make the cut, staying in NHL
"Six players taken in the 2009 Entry Draft made their NHL team's opening-night roster. Making the League is one thing; staying there is another. But for the special six from this June's draft, they all passed their first major test. John Tavares (No. 1, Islanders), Victor Hedman (No. 2, Lightning), Matt Duchene (No. 3, Colorado), Evander Kane (No. 4, Thrashers), Dmitry Kulikov (No. 14, Panthers) and Ryan O'Reilly (No. 33, Avalanche) haven't all passed the 10-game threshold, but all have been told that they should look into permanent housing. Teams have nine games to evaluate their teenage prospects before having to make a decision on whether to keep them -- and activate their entry-level ..."
Concussion is hitting Booth hard
"Panthers forward David Booth spoke with reporters for less than five minutes Tuesday, which is good because that's about the limit for any activity since his first-ever concussion Saturday. "I do nothing. I'm either lying in bed or sitting on the couch. I'll go on the computer for five minutes or I'll read for five minutes," Booth said. "Everything is in five-minute spurts and then I have to take a break for 55 minutes. It's weird. I don't like it." Three days after taking a hit to the head from the Flyers' Mike Richards and falling face-first to the ice, Booth's right eye was swollen nearly shut and bruised purplish yellow. There was a scrape on the left side of his face and a cut on his ..."
Not known as tough, Panthers work to put grit into their game
"Coral Springs - Watching from high above the ice Saturday night, Panthers defenseman Bryan Allen was bothered by the hit to the head David Booth took from the Flyers' Mike Richards. Something else concerned Allen, who sat out that game to rest his surgically repaired knee. "I can't tell you what other teams think or say, but I heard from one guy from Philadelphia that we were easy to play against: 'You don't get hit, you're probably not going to fight,'" Allen said Tuesday. He wouldn't reveal the source. Regardless, the perception exists that the Panthers lack toughness. The fact they didn't retaliate after Richards' hit doesn't help. Players and coach Pete DeBoer said after the game that ..."
Florida Panthers' David Booth likely out at least one week
"Panthers forward David Booth was released from a Philadelphia hospital Sunday after he sustained a concussion during Florida's 5-1 loss to the Flyers on Saturday night. Booth, 24, never has been concussed before, and general manager Randy Sexton said the team is going to closely monitor their energetic winger. Booth is known to take his workouts to extreme measures, and the Panthers medical staff will be watching to make sure he doesn't overdo things while he's out. Sexton said he and Booth had a long phone conversation Sunday morning on a variety of subjects. Booth, who sustained no other injuries except for some facial cuts, is expected to miss at least the next week of action. ``He's ..."
Injuries prompt call-ups to fill Florida Panthers' void
"With David Booth and Radek Dvorak out for an undetermined amount of time, the already-struggling Panthers are turning to some of their prospects for help. On Monday the team recalled rookies Michal Repik and Kenndal McArdle from their American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester, N.Y., to help fill the void. As for where they'll play, even coach Pete DeBoer sounds like he doesn't know. The Panthers are desperate for scoring -- they have scored two or fewer goals in all seven losses -- so DeBoer will be mixing up line combinations until he finds something that works. ``These two guys both had decent camps,'' DeBoer said. ``Repik had a real good camp and McArdle had, I thought, a pretty ..."
Long road back
"Panthers forward Cory Stillman knows what it's like to rush back too soon after a head injury, so no one is expecting teammate David Booth back on the ice for at least 2-3 weeks after sustaining a concussion in Saturday night's loss to the Flyers. "There's not much advice to give," said Stillman, who tried to come back after three games following his concussion last November, then sat out 10 more before the symptoms completely disappeared. "You pretty much have to rest until you feel better. You can't rush; it's too dangerous to mess around with." Booth, who scored his first goal in eight games in the first period of the 5-1 loss to Philadelphia, was leveled by Mike Richards' elbow and ..."
Flyers' Richards not suspended for hit on Florida's Booth
"It happened in a split second on Saturday night, but the reverberations were felt in the far corners of the hockey world. David Booth's head is probably still feeling them. That's what happens when a questionable hit is made in a physical game with 200-pound players hurling themselves at each other at speeds the same as cars driving on local roads. The blogosphere and Twitter lit up just minutes after Flyers captain Mike Richards blindsided Florida's Booth with 2:55 remaining in the second period of what would become a 5-1 win for the Flyers. Richards skated across the Flyers' zone and leveled Booth after he dished the puck to a teammate. Booth was sent flying in another direction, his ..."
Panthers' David Booth out of hospital after concussion against Flyers
"Panthers' forward David Booth flew back to South Florida on Sunday after spending the previous night in a Philadelphia hospital because of a concussion. Booth suffered his first ever concussion when Flyers center Mike Richards, skating full speed, drove his left shoulder into Booth's jaw late in the second period of the Panthers' 5-1 loss at Wachovia Center. The NHL decided not to suspend Richards for the hit Sunday, much to the dismay of the Panthers, whose frustration over the incident was eased from learning Booth was feeling better. Panthers' general manager Randy Sexton said comprehensive tests showed a concussion ? Booth also suffered a cut above one eye that required stitches ? but ..."
Panthers' Booth out of Philadelphia hospital after concussion against Flyers
"Panthers' forward David Booth flew back to South Florida on Sunday after spending the previous night in a Philadelphia hospital because of a concussion. Booth suffered his first ever concussion when Flyers center Mike Richards, skating full speed, drove his left shoulder into Booth's jaw late in the second period of the Panthers' 5-1 loss at Wachovia Center. The NHL decided not to suspend Richards for the hit Sunday, much to the dismay of the Panthers, whose frustration over the incident was eased from learning Booth was feeling better. Panthers' general manager Randy Sexton said comprehensive tests showed a concussion ? Booth also suffered a cut above one eye that required stitches ? but ..."
League says Richards within rules on Booth hit
"Flyers captain Mike Richards didn't lose any sleep Saturday night wondering if he'd be suspended by the NHL for his shoulder-to-chin hit that forced Florida Panthers left wing David Booth to spend the night in a Philadelphia hospital. He believed his hit, while violent, was clean and within the rules of the game. NHL officials agreed. According to NHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Mike Murphy, Richards was not suspended because he did not leave his feet on the hit, did not intentionally target Booth's head, did not arrive late on the hit and he is not a repeat offender. Murphy made the ruling instead of NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell because of a possible conflict of ..."
Flyers' Richards spared suspension
"The NHL's decision yesterday not to suspend Flyers captain Mike Richards for a jarring open-ice hit on Florida's David Booth was greeted with disappointment by those connected to the Panthers.But the decision has been made and "we've got to move on," Florida general manager Randy Sexton told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel yesterday.Richards leveled Booth on Saturday, knocking him unconscious and sending him to the hospital with a shoulder-to-jaw check in the middle of the ice.Replays showed Richards had one skate in the air as he made the hit. It was inconclusive as to whether the other skate was in the air at the time.If the NHL deemed that both feet were in the air before he made the ..."
Florida Panthers, David Booth receive heavy blow in defeat
"Florida Panthers winger David Booth is alert and moving after being taken off the ice on a stretcher after a hard hit to the head from Philadelphia Flyers captain Mike Richards on Saturday night. Booth, 25, remained motionless on the ice after a hard hit from the Flyers star. Booth was taken to Pennsylvania Hospital in south Philadelphia where he was expected to remain at least until Sunday. Team athletic trainer Steve Dischiavi rode to the hospital with Booth and will remain with him until he can return to South Florida. The Panthers boarded a jet soon after Saturday's game. ``They are doing a whole host of tests just to make sure everything is OK,'' said general manager Randy Sexton, who ..."
Violent hit mars Flyer win
"Two years ago the National Hockey League made a clear and emphatic statement on blows to the head when Flyers rookie Steve Downie was suspended 20 games and teammate Jesse Boulerice was sentenced 25 games for separate shots to opponents' heads. Today, Flyers captain Mike Richards, who has never been suspended in his five-year career, is expected to participate in a conference call with NHL senior executive vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell after his violent collision with Florida Panthers left wing David Booth left Booth in the hospital. With 2:55 remaining in the second period of the Flyers' 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers Saturday, Richards lowered his shoulder and ..."
Hit mars Flyers' 5-1 victory over Panthers
"Captain Mike Richards received a game misconduct for a shoulder-to-jaw hit that sent David Booth to the hospital last night, casting a cloud on the Flyers' 5-1 win over the Florida Panthers at the Wachovia Center. The suddenly explosive Arron Asham, who collected a goal for a career-best third consecutive game; Danny Briere (two goals, assist); Simon Gagne; and rookie James van Riemsdyk scored for the Flyers. Van Riemsdyk's goal - he scored on a late breakaway by putting a backhander through the legs of goalie Tomas Vokoun - was the first of his blossoming NHL career. But after the game, the focus was on Booth, a 24-year-old left winger who had tied the game, 1-1, with a first-period goal ..."
Panthers' Booth taken to the hospital with head injury
"Panthers' forward David Booth spent Saturday night at a local hospital after receiving a vicious hit to the head late in the second period of Saturday night's 5-1 loss to the Flyers at Wachovia Center. The extent of Booth's injury wasn't known after the game. Panthers' general manager Randy Sexton, who spoke briefly to the doctor who treated Booth at Methodist Hospital in South Philadelphia, said it appeared Booth suffered a concussion, but that he was conscious when he was wheeled off the ice on a stretcher and could move his extremities. Assistant team trainer Steve Dischiavi, who rode in the ambulance with Booth, stayed with him at the hospital while the team flew home. "They did some ..."
Florida Panthers' low-scoring offense makes each game a struggle
"When the Buffalo Sabres scored two goals in the first two minutes of Wednesday's game, you could hear the collective groan from the fans inside BankAtlantic Center. With an offense that doesn't score much, a 2-0 deficit can be daunting. Coming into Friday's game against the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins, the Panthers were the second-lowest scoring team in the league. Only Toronto -- which hasn't won yet -- had scored fewer goals. The Panthers got their offense going in the first period against the Penguins, with Steven Reinprecht becoming the team's leading goal scorer by scoring twice in the opening stanza. Reinprecht didn't score in Florida's first five games, but has scored in ..."
Florida Panthers preempted by the Crosby Show
"Yes, the Panthers got a point out of Friday night's overtime loss to the mighty Penguins. They wanted so much more -- and came close to getting it. Sidney Crosby spoiled Florida's upset bid by erasing a 2-0 third-period deficit with a pair of goals and the game-winner in the shootout as the Penguins came back to beat the Panthers 3-2 at Mellon Arena. ``Maybe we're a little fragile and maybe today was a step in the right direction, but we need to hold onto the lead,'' defenseman Keith Ballard said. ``That was two goals on the road. At this point we've given a lot of opportunities away. We were beating a good team for two periods. To have that kind of third is frustrating.'' Friday's game ..."
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