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PANTHERS FINISH OFF FLYERS IN PHILADELPHIA IN 5 GAMES The Florida Panthers were able to take out the Flyers tonight by the score of 6-2 to close out the series in 5 games and they did it early. Wanting to get the fiery fan out of the game Florida put up 3 goals in the first period on 7 shots, while only allowing 5 against. Teppo struck first with his 3rd of the playoffs on the PP just over 12 minutes in. Czerwaski added his 2nd, also on the PP, then just over 1:20 later, Goulet scored his 1st of the postseason, and it was 3-0 heading into the 2nd. The Flyers tried to make a game of it, scoring just over 5 minutes into the second, and the fans were back into it. However as time went on they couldn't get the next one, and Thelven would score two goals, his firsts of the playoffs, just 17 seconds apart. Like that the teams were heading to the 3rd period with the score 5-1. Just over 1 minute in, Messier(2) would push the score to 6-1, and from there it was simply playing it out. The Flyers would add one more in the third, but it wasn't enough as the Panthers would win 6-2, final score. Ed Belfour took the win, getting all 4 in the series making 23 saves. Special teams were the difference tonight for sure with a +3. The PK didn't have to kill and penalties, while the PP went 3-5. 1st Star - Mark Messier - 1 goal, 3 points, +2. 2 shots, 2 hits 2nd Star - Michael Thelven - 2 goals, 3 shots, 1 hit 3rd Star - Michel Goulet - 1 goal, 2 points, +2, 2 shots, 2 hits Up next will actually be a series vs the Montreal Canadiens where the Flyers will actually be the home team. Now these two teams were very close in the standings, actually coming down to the last game of the season for the 5th seed. Florida had 92 points to Montreal's 90 pts. These teams are both much different then the starts of their season. The goal tending will be front and center, but also the vets who were brought in for depth should be very important. Should be a fun series. Regular season was 1-2-1 in Montreal's favor, with the Panthers win coming against the backup. Of course as we learned this first round in the Wales, regular season doesn't mean much.
Bubba Smith Sr. |