SUNRISE -- Greetings from the Chik-fil-A Center in uptown Sunrise where I'm listening to Randy 'Red Deer' Moller and Billy 'I Beat the Bruins' Lindsay broadcast live from Tampa.
Yes, Randy just sold his soul and called it Hockey Bay USA.
Noah Welch out as the healthy scratch tonight, Cory Stillman out with post-concussion problems.
Panthers are in white, the Bolts in black (I assume).
Going to be hanging here in cyberspace tonight, flying to New Jersey bright and early tomorrow. You got questions or comments, feel free to leave them here.
It's hockey talk -- On Frozen Pond style!
-- On TV Tonight Instead of the Panthers: Seinfeld is on TBS, the boys selling NBC on a "show about nothing.'' Also, Two and a Half Men on Channel 39. Minnesota and Pitt tied at 1 on Versus. Heat lead the Capitals, err Bullets, on Sunshine Network.
FSN bringing us the ever-exciting, ever-important Tennessee-Martin/Tennessee basketball game. I wouldn't watch this matchup if it was a football game. Although Tennessee-Martin might be favored in that one. Sad days for the Vols...
-- Virginia Tech-Miami replay on CSS....
-- Panthers going on the power play...Tampa Bay has too many guys on the ice...which we all know is against the rules...
--Going to call Goldie and see if he'll give us his impressions of the first period during the intermission.
PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME, BRYAN MCCABE PUTS FLORIDA UP 1-0...PANTHERS NOW OUTSCORING BOLTS 5-0 THIS SEASON...ASSISTS FROM CAMPBELL AND DVORAK...LOTS OF TIME LEFT IN THE FIRST...
-- Sounds like Tomas Vokoun is being tested early...
-- Anyone got some restaurant suggestions for New York can go ahead and leave them here as well...will be around Penn Station/MSG tomorrow night...have a few good places in mind, but always looking for new stuff...
-- 90201 coming up on CW; good repeat of Boston Legal on ION...Family Guy mini-marathon on TBS ... Heat still winning, Vols up big ... start of two in Pitt, still 1-1...
-- Absolutely love the Pens' retro third jersey...the blues look good....
-- Booth shoots wide on a good scoring chance for the Cats...
--Canes-VT tied 7-7 from Joe Robbie...got a good feeling the Canes come back in this one...
-- Another Tampa penalty...Florida 0-for-1 on the PP....
-- Other scores: Montreal leads Carolina 1-0 in the second; Edmonton beating Columbus 2-0 also in second...
-- 2:40 left in the opening period....TB outshooting the Cats 16-9...
--Panthers draw their third penalty of the night...Stephen Weiss apparently gets Paul Ranger to commit a no-no...
SLAY THE DRAGON, PUT IT IN THE WAGON -- PANTHERS SCORE ON THE POWER PLAY -- IT'S 2-0...SOUNDS LIKE IT'S DAVID BOOTH...IF SO, THAT'S NUMERO OCHO (WHICH MEANS NUMBER OCHO IN SPANISH) FOR BOOTH...
-- Panthers outshot 18-11 in the opening period...we're going to the break...Goldie's up next....
-- Sounds like I heard some Tampa Bay fans calling for Booooth at the end of that period...or not...
THE GOLDIE REPORT*: I would say they are playing the perfect formula for beating Tampa. They've worked really hard. Tampa had five shots in the first few minutes, but since then, the Panthers have picked it up. This is the seventh time Florida has a two-goal lead, and they've won all but the Carolina game. I thought Booth was really good, Frolik too. And Vokoun was really sharp. Booth and Frolik's speed was really evident. And not getting a penalty was huge for them.
(*) -- Yet another On Frozen Pond exclusive!
--I am now actually watching the Tennessee-Martin/Tennessee game...but not for long...
-- Word is Brad Pitt tore his Achilles; he may be out of the Florida lineup for a couple of months. Bad loss for the Cats.
-- OK, getting a report that Pitt doesn't play for the Panthers anymore...
--Don't know about you, but that Philly Cheesesteak burger at Checkers looks like instant sick. Well, maybe not instant, but you probably wouldn't make it home...
-- QVC selling holiday candles...set of three...only $44.75! That's some good smell! Unlike that burger from Checkers...
-- Good college hoops game coming up on ESPN...Kentucky at UNC...good stuff there...
-- And to my left...
SECOND PERIOD -- SECOND PERIOD -- SECOND PERIOD
-- JayBo called for hooking...Tampa Bay goes on the PP for the first time tonight...
--Panthers kill off the penalty and now go back on the PP themselves...FLA is 1-for-3 on PP tonight...
-- FYI: Panthers PP no longer worst in league...that goes to Columbus...Panthers are No. 29 headed into tonight..
NO GOOD CALL FROM RANDY ON THIS ONE, OTHER THAN SHOOTS AND SCORES...BRYAN MCCABE GETS HIS SECOND OF THE NIGHT, FLORIDA 2-FOR-4 ON POWER PLAY AND ITS 3-0 PANTHERS...
-- Wouldn't be surprised to see a new goalie in for Tampa pretty soon....Mike Smith has given up seven goals to the Cats in less than a week...
--I think it's Frozen Poll time. Been a long time. Looking for the best place to go for burgers (mainstream type places). Like out west, I prefer In-and-Out Burger, but Fatburger is pretty good too. Down here, I'm a Char-Hut nut. Give me some suggestions. Will throw in Burger King too since the Whopper was invented in Miami. Check back for the poll....
TAMPA BAY SCORES, CUTS IT TO 3-1....
-- End of two, Panthers lead 3-1 but are being outshot 37-21...the Lightning are out of control!
THE GOLDIE REPORT, SECOND INTERMISSION: Tomas Vokoun has just been unbelievable. He looks calm and has been very good positionally. They are firing from everywhere, but he isn't giving up rebounds. He's on top of his game, and that's key. He's had four really good periods in a row going back to the Detroit game.
The other big thing is how huge McCabe has been on the power play. He's a threat with that big shot and now has six points in four games. McCabe has been great and the power play has scored twice.
The key in the third is to tighten up. You can't let Vokoun stand on his head because this game is not over by any stretch. When Tampa made it 3-1, the Panthers got aggressive again on offense. They have to keep that up.
-- Carolina now up 2-1 midway through the third over Montreal.
-- Feel free to send in your favorite little burger joint. Like LeTub in Hollywood, or the Circus in Pompano Beach (both have excellent burgers IMHO). The poll is basically for major chains, and great regional places (like Char-Hut). Believe it or not, but I thought Miami Subs has a solid burger. But good luck finding one of those anymore. Oh, and the Flanigans/Quarterdeck burger is also pretty darned good.
-- If I hadn't already had a nice Italian dinner tonight, I'd be getting hungry right now.
-- Edmonton is lighting up the Blue Jackets, now 6-2 in Buckeyetown...
-- Speaking of that, has there been a Michigan-Ohio State game in recent memory that absolutely no one cared about?
THIRD PERIOD -- THIRD PERIOD -- THIRD PERIOD
-- Gregory Campbell headed to the box, Tampa Bay's second PP of the night...
HERE WE GO...BOLTS SCORE, IT'S NOW 3-2 FLORIDA...EVGENY ARTYUKHIN GETS THE GOAL FOR THE LIGHTNING...
-- Panthers going back on the power play, looking for third power play goal...old pal Lukas Krajicek slashes David Booth...
-- Kentucky getting run back to Lexington...going to overtime in Pittsburgh....
-- Lightning kill it off, I'm going to get a Diet Coke...
-- Shootout in Pitt...
-- 10 minutes left in Tampa....still 3-2 Florida...
-- FSN Florida's offering now: Best Damn Toughman. Well, that's a ratings winner...
-- Been listening to Randy and Billy for a couple hours now and have been very entertained. Love how they try to keep topping each other with cheesy lines. Good stuff.
-- Less than four minutes to go. Don't forget to check back for post-game Goldie!
WELL THERE YOU GO....TIPPED PUCK TIES THE SCORE AT 3...LOOKS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO OVERTIME...BOLTS WITH THREE STRAIGHT GOALS....GOODNESS...
-- 2:51 remaining in regulation...
OVERTIME -- OVERTIME -- OVERTIME
-- Without a Trace coming on....The Office (TBS) too...Oklahoma pulling away from Davidson...
-- Three minutes left in the OT...Panthers 0-1 in the shootout this season (at Nashville, also a radio-only game that I wasn't at)...
-- From Andy: AP is reporting that the Circus will be in town on Thursday in Jersey, enjoy the Elephants and cotton candy George. -- Will do! Going to get one of those flashing lights that they sell. And a root beer.
-- Shootout forthcoming...
SHOOTOUT -- SHOOTOUT -- SHOOTOUT
-- Tomorrow's On Frozen Poll (giving you time to think of your answer): Do you like or dislike the shootout? Me, I like that there are no more ties. But I would much rather see a 10 minute overtime before the SO decides things. That's just me.
--ROUND 1: Vinny Lecavalier X (blocked); Stephen Weiss X (no shot)
-- ROUND 2: Jussi 'Olli' Jokinen X (wide); Nathan 'Olli' Horton DING DING DING
-- ROUND 3: Martin St. Louis X (blocked)
WINNER, WINNER, CHICKEN DINNER...PANTHERS WIN DESPITE BLOWING A 3-0 LEAD...YOUR FINAL: FLORIDA 4, TAMPA BAY 3 (SO)
-- Taking a short time out, then it's three stars of the game and The Goldie Report...This is the fake Florida Panthers online radio network brought to you by Dania Jai-Alai, Publix Diet Iced Tea and Rickey's chicken wings...
--I think Goldie is shining us. Big timer. Tired of his nonsense.
-- Three Stars off the official report:
No. 3 Steve Eminger, Tampa Bay (goal, two assists, plus-3)
No. 2 Steve Stamkos, Tampa Bay (one assist, nine shots, 17-plus minutes)
No. 1 Tomas Vokoun, Florida (49 saves, not including all three in shootout)
THE GOLDIE POSTGAME REPORT: I think the general mood around here is
the guys don't care how they got the two points, they're just happy
to get two points. Tomas Vokoun was out of his mind. The ones he
didn't stop, he had no chance on. In shootout, stops three great
shots. He was great tonight. We've seen so many times where the
opposing goalie plays great and they get a few power play goals.
Tonight, the Panthers got to do it.
Bryan McCabe said “we got lucky
and got great goaltending.” Tampa Bay threw the kitchen sink at the
Panthers tonight.
I was really disappointed they let the
Lightning back in the game. We all know Tampa has a lot of talent,
but certain forwards – Peltonen, Campbell, Weiss, Booth – really
played hard. Some of the others wanted to play a run-and-gun game
with Tampa, something you don't want to do. Nathan Horton didn't have
a great night, but he ended it well. Great shot for him to win the
game. That's what he needs to do.
It was a great game, too bad no one saw it. On to New Jersey tomorrow.
Indeed. Thanks Goldie, thanks to all who came on here to keep me company. Thanks to Bill and Randy for a fun call of what sounded like a fun game.
Will blog with you tomorrow. Drive careful everyone....
What are the pairings looking like tonight?
Posted by: Gregg | November 18, 2008 at 07:50 PM
don't know that since I'm not there...
Posted by: grichards | November 18, 2008 at 07:53 PM
Ah yes...
Posted by: Gregg | November 18, 2008 at 08:04 PM
Hey George,This place is a couple of blocks from the NHL store in NY. The food is pretty good, and the wait staff are a bunch of folks who REALLY want to be on Broadway. They sing for you, and some of 'em are pretty hot. I've had breakfast and lunch here, and it's been good. I've been there dozens of times and I've never had a bad meal...
http://www.ellensstardustdiner.com/
Posted by: VanMurph | November 18, 2008 at 08:05 PM
I have nothing of value to add but I just think it's cool that you do this so I wanted to tell you that. And say Hi!
Posted by: Happy Girl | November 18, 2008 at 08:06 PM
Hello Happy Girl, good to hear from ya...Murph, you the man...will check that place out if not on this trip then next week when I'm actually staying in the city and not bussing in from the Swamps of Jersey...have the iPod loaded up with Springsteen so I'm ready...
Posted by: grichards | November 18, 2008 at 08:10 PM
Number ocho... Dude you crack me up!
Posted by: VanMurph | November 18, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Yikes, Malkin takes a puck right in the kisser...
Posted by: VanMurph | November 18, 2008 at 08:28 PM
I am praying for Frolik to get a goal and im Jewish so hopefully he'll be the next chosen one
Posted by: Steph | November 18, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Hi George- If you're not at the game, dose that mean that tomorrows Herald will carry the AP story of tonight's game, or has the Herald sent another staff reporter in your stead?
If the paper is running only the AP story, I'm not buying the paper tomorrow.
Thanks for all your postings... I love them!
Posted by: Howard | November 18, 2008 at 08:38 PM
Thanks Howard...no, we have Joe Goodman at the game...he lives in Gainesville and covers the Gators for us, so he fills in every once in a while when the Panthers go north...sometimes he covers games for us in ATL too...this will be the last game I miss for a while....it was nice to have today off...
Posted by: grichards | November 18, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Talking about burgers, anytime I'm in that part of the country I have to find White Castle, then immediately some Tums, but well worth it!
Posted by: Just A Thought | November 18, 2008 at 08:44 PM
I'm with you on the White Castles...they have great fries too...those crinkle cut deals...
Posted by: grichards | November 18, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Also wanted to tell you...
that was so creative to contact Goldie for his between-period insight. Diehard fans like me love it when you are able to think "outside the rink" to provide us with extra coverage! Thanks.
Posted by: Howard | November 18, 2008 at 08:47 PM
we have white castles all over here in cincy. I could send you some frozen sliders. the tums are on your dime friend.
Posted by: Happy Girl | November 18, 2008 at 08:48 PM
i co-sign what Howard just said. Very appreciated GR
Posted by: Steph | November 18, 2008 at 09:08 PM
Here is an update around the league
Leclaire has given up 5 goals on 13 shots tonight. Nice save percentage .0615. Congrats to him.
For those that care, JM is still employed tonight by the Panthers. Everyday I pray je finds his way back up to his hockey school in Canada and stays.
George, What in the world is going on in Rochester, what is that a PEE WEE team there?
They gave up 3 SH goals in 1 game and 10 people are at the games now.
Posted by: Andy | November 18, 2008 at 09:17 PM
I have no idea what's going on up there in Roch...I do know that Pierre Groulx is going up there to try and help out the goaltending...
Posted by: grichards | November 18, 2008 at 09:21 PM
LOL
Leclaire now has given up 7 goals on 18 shots for a .611 save percentage
Posted by: Andy | November 18, 2008 at 09:23 PM
I hope he brings up some magic because there stats are horrible.
Posted by: Andy | November 18, 2008 at 09:26 PM
I am starting to feel a 3rd period collapse.
3-2 Panthers
Posted by: Andy | November 18, 2008 at 09:28 PM
I am voting via write in ballot for Muskies in Chicago for best burgers. It also gets my vote for Best cheese fries - they use real cheddar cheese. Insane
Posted by: Happy Girl | November 18, 2008 at 09:29 PM
Van Murph are you at the game?
Posted by: matt abraham | November 18, 2008 at 09:33 PM
about 7 min left to kill boys
Posted by: Andy | November 18, 2008 at 09:44 PM
No, Matt. I'm in da hiz-ouse watchin' this one on the radio. My next road game won't be until December. I was set to go to NJ and BOS, but we've had some problems with some renters and I've gotta take care of it.
Posted by: VanMurph | November 18, 2008 at 09:49 PM
amazing how I can call this team
3-3 now and the players will be happy with the point.
JM days are numbered!!!!!
Posted by: Andy | November 18, 2008 at 09:53 PM
Well... Tavares, GO GET YOURSELF A PANTHER SWEATER AND COME AND JOIN THIS CIRCUS OF LOSERS
Posted by: matt | November 18, 2008 at 09:53 PM
How can you win games when you give up 50 shots?
FIRE JM PLEASE TONIGHT
Posted by: Andy | November 18, 2008 at 09:55 PM
VanMurph ... Thank you so much for the blog. Its an honor as a die hard Panther fan... Hope to see you in Febuary when I come down for a game...
Posted by: matt abraham | November 18, 2008 at 09:58 PM
AP is reporting that the Circus will be in town on Thursday in Jersey, enjoy the Elephants and cotton candy George.
Posted by: Andy | November 18, 2008 at 09:58 PM
it's last year, all over again...
Posted by: Howard | November 18, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Tampa Bay with 51 plus shots now, lucky we got this point.
George, you did not have to interview anyone after the game anyway, I am sure you could pull quotes from the past few years.
Same story, over and over and over.
Posted by: Andy | November 18, 2008 at 10:02 PM
If you wanna win the shoutout....
Frolik- Mccabe and Peltonen
Posted by: matt abraham | November 18, 2008 at 10:05 PM
WEISS!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Deboer what are you thinkin
Posted by: matt abraham | November 18, 2008 at 10:08 PM
Panthers win -- get the 2 points
We are no longer in the basement -- YESSSS
FIRE JM
Posted by: Andy | November 18, 2008 at 10:09 PM
George,
There is a new place in Lauderhill called 3 guys burgers......
It is the best I have had in South Florida!!!! Yummy!!!!!! I know it is a Franchise Place and there are others but this is the first one I have had!!!!!
In NY get off train.....Exit Penn Station....look around and get one of the dirty water hotdogs, from a cart.......
Then look a little more and get a charred pretzel......
And top it off with a Shish Cabab......all from those dirty little carts!!!!!
When you head to Jersey is you area dog guy....Hit Ruts Hut!!!!!!! Yummy!!!!!
Posted by: Steve | November 18, 2008 at 11:24 PM
George, the guy's name is BENOIT Groulx and you should pay more attention to whats going on up here. This is your future!!! (You lucky devil!)
Posted by: Bobbo Kane | November 19, 2008 at 06:58 AM
oh bobbo...benoix is indeed coach of the amerks...but pierre groulx is the panthers goalie coach (who is up there helping out the goalies)...lot of groulx - but not much growl - in roch these days...
Posted by: grichards | November 19, 2008 at 09:28 AM
oh bobbo...benoix is indeed coach of the amerks...but pierre groulx is the panthers goalie coach (who is up there helping out the goalies)...lot of groulx - but not much growl - in roch these days...
Posted by: grichards | November 19, 2008 at 09:28 AM
err, benoit is the correct spelling....blaming the jet lag...
Posted by: grichards | November 19, 2008 at 09:34 AM
Thank you, GR, for that picture of Ashley Judd in the 'Cats jersey - wrong 'Cats granted, but my goodness is she HOT HOT HOT! What is it about women wearing sports jerseys?!?
On another note, way to give Tampa 1 point considering they are already ahead of us in the standings. A 3-0 lead and we go to a shootout? This town...err, team needs an anema!!!
Posted by: Big Slap Shot Bob | November 19, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Thanks for the "goldie updates" -- very cool. And speaking of death on a bun, while In-n-Out gets my vote, next time you're in SoCal give Tommy's a try (http://www.originaltommys.com) -- occasionally ya just gotta defy sanity and have one of these chili-laden bites of ambrosia (might consider giving it a little jalapeno kick as well--good god! and good luck). Go Cats! (gotta hate damn-near squandering a 3-0 lead, though).
Posted by: CA Cane | November 19, 2008 at 01:21 PM
5 Guys burgers are incredible. Fries spectacular
Posted by: floridaobserver | November 19, 2008 at 03:49 PM
A troubling statistic... The following is the Panthers shots allowed per game with their NHL ranking next to it and the differential between shots for and against (brace yourselves this is scary) since the 2000-2001 season:
Year sapg rank diff
00-01 31.2 29th -4.7
01-02 32.5 29th -5.6
02-03 33.2 30th -6.0
03-04 34.5 30th -6.8
04-05-( No Hockey )
05-06 34.8 29th -1.6
06-07 29.3 16th +4.0
07-08 33.6 29th -2.5
08-09 35.1 29th -7.0
This is out of 30 teams. While statistics can be overated, this pattern has been in place regardless of management. Other than the 06-07 season it appears as though you can count on the Panthers leading the league or close to it in shots allowed... by the way we managed to reach our highest point total during the 06-07 season (86)since 2000-2001. This is no coincidence I believe that unless we change this very troubling pattern which has been evident for over seven years now, and going strong we are doomed to repeat history.
We may continue to hold on to games despite being outshot but the truth is we will continue to be cellar dwellers unless this changes...we are already on pace to better our worst shots on goal allowed and lastly, the most horrific point about these stats is the fact we have had an All-Star caliber or arguably, a future Hall Of Famer in Net.
Posted by: HP | November 20, 2008 at 03:24 AM