Cats Top Caps At BankAtlantic Center

Florida Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun, left, blocks a shot by Washington Capitals' David Steckel (39) in the third period of an NHL hockey game as Panthers' Steve Montador (7) and Gregory Campbell, right, defend in Sunrise, Fla., Thursday, Nov. 15, 2007. The Panthers won 2-1. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

By Dave Joseph for floridapanthers.com

Playing a man short and precariously holding on to a 2-1 lead Thursday evening late in the third period, GM and coach Jacques Martin was asked his thoughts in those final, tense minutes.

Martin allowed a smile to crease his face and then said, “Never a doubt in my mind.”

After allowing last minute goals against Carolina and Atlanta earlier in the week, the Panthers held off Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals in the final minutes at BankAtlantic Center to assure themselves three of four points in their last two games.

“It’s good to win a close one,” said Jay Bouwmeester, plus-one and on the ice most of the night with Ovechkin. “We came in only three points (out of a playoff spot) and maybe now we can climb back to .500.”

Leading 2-1 with 3:23 remaining in regulation on goals from Richard Zednik and Kamil Kreps, the Capitals were awarded a power play when defenseman Bryan Allen was whistled for delay of game. But as they’ve done over the past 10 days, the Panthers penalty killers, led by Radek Dvorak and Ville Peltonen, did an outstanding job while goalie Tomas Vokoun (26 saves) stopped several chances from down low.

“Again, our penalty killers did a great job most of the night,” Martin said. “Overall, we’ll try to build on some of the things we did.”

It was Zednik’s goal at 7:58 of the first period that gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead. Ruslan Salei took a shot into a crowd in front of the Capital goal that Jozef Stumpel directed to Zednik, who was standing all alone at the side of the net for his seventh goal of the season.

Game Highlights
Starting Lineups
Panthers		Capitals
Jokinen	C	Nylander
Stumpel	LW	Ovechkin
Zednik	RW	Clark
Bouwmeester	D	Pothier
Salei	D	Schultz
Vokoun	G	Kolzig
Post-Game Video
Jacques Martin  Olli Jokinen   Ville Peltonen  Tomas Vokoun  Tomas Vokoun
Cape
Ville Peltonen
Quote of the Game
"Same kind of game. We were able to get it done. Vokie made some good stops. They pressed and we held on this time." - forward Ville Peltonen comparing the Atlanta game to tonight's game.
Stat of the Game
4:13 into the second period, Kamil Kreps beat Washington goaltender Olaf Kolzig with a backhander for his second goal of the season and first game winner of his career.
3 Stars Presented by Szrio Jewelry
1. Richard Zednik 2. Tomas Vokoun 3. Kamil Kreps

The Capitals came back, however, just 2:33 seconds later when the Panthers couldn’t clear the puck and Ovechkin scored his 12th goal of the season. But on this night, the Panthers held the lead as time wound off the clock.

“Tomorrow we have to remember we didn’t do anything at all,” Vokoun said. “Every game the rest of the year should be a playoff game. If we want to make the playoffs we have to put some streaks together. We’re not getting to the playoffs playing .500.”

The Panthers have now taken seven points in their last seven games, all against Southeast Division rivals. The Panthers now prepare to play three games on the road, beginning Saturday in Carolina, Monday in Washington and Wednesday in Columbus.

“Sometimes when you lose games you’re a little tight,” Martin said. “Hopefully, this game will springboard us. The key is to keep the goals against down, finish, and go to the net.”

An important test for the Panthers will be Saturday in Carolina, where the Hurricanes will be playing their second game on consecutive nights and where the Panthers have not won in three years.

“The key is to build on tonight and build on the game Saturday,” Martin said. “They (the Hurricanes) play tomorrow (Friday hosting Atlanta). We need to take advantage of the fact they’re playing the night before. We have to come out with a lot of energy and play a lot in their zone.”           

NOTES

Defenseman Cory Murphy did not play, still suffering from a shoulder bruise. Murphy is unlikely for Saturday’s game in Carolina…Defenseman Mike Van Ryn led the team in playing time at 22:17…Tanner Glass, playing his third NHL game, had 11 shifts and took a five minute fighting penalty when he dropped the gloves with Matt Bradley…The Panthers practice today at IncredibleIce in Coral Springs before boarding a plane and hitting the road for their three-game road…