Center Stephen Weiss worked overtime in Florida's 3-2 loss to Washington on Sunday, playing a total of 25:22 – just a minute short of defenseman Dmitry Kulikov for second among Panthers in the game.
A big chunk of Weiss' time came in the second when he was on the ice for a whopping 5:43 – on one single shift. Weiss took the ice at 2:36 of the period when Darcy Hordichuk drew an elbowing penalty and ran the point on the power play. The whistle never blew when the power play ended, and with Washington working the puck around the Florida zone, Weiss couldn't come off. Florida, with Weiss playing back, was stuck playing four forwards and a defenseman as the Capitals buzzed goalie Scott Clemmensen.
Weiss had a chance to leave the ice past the six minute mark but the Panthers iced the puck at 6:19 – meaning no Florida players could come off as Washington reset in the Florida zone. Weiss finally took a breather at 6:47 when Steve Bernier drew a penalty – which brought a television timeout – although Weiss was right back on the ice to take the faceoff for the power play.
“At one point, it went through my head that I had been out there a long time. What are you going to do?,'' said Weiss, who didn't officially come off the ice until the 8:19 mark.
“I didn't want to change on the power play because I felt good. I thought it was a key point where we needed a goal. Then I got stuck out there against [Alex] Ovechkin's line. I was all out for staying out there. Once you're out there that long, they forget about you. I didn't look toward the bench. If I was tired, I would have come out.''
Said coach Pete DeBoer: “We've asked Stephen to do just about everything this season. He does it all for us. You always worry about the tank running dry at this time of year so we've tried to manage his ice time. But he's a hard guy to keep on the bench in any situation.''
HERE IS TSN'S TAKE ON WEISS' SHIFT ON MONDAY'S SPORTSCENTRE
Thanks to @YouAre138 (for those of you who lika the Twitta) for the link.
Can't say enough about Weiss. Too bad he never had enough real NHL players around him to show how good he really is. But as they say every year here in Florida, " Wait till next year when they spend the money on UFAs and bring in the prospects," which never pans out.
Posted by: Puckbubba | March 10, 2011 at 09:57 AM
What a Machine!!
Posted by: Coop | March 10, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Despite all the negative postings that usually fill this board (including mine). I have to give Stephen Weiss a big thumbs up. He is undersized, but plays hard every game and gives his all. Kuddos to him to be willing to stay here also. Hope he continues to be part of the solution, for sure he is not the problem.
Posted by: LOBSTAHMAN | March 10, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Weiss and Booth are heart and soul of this team.Dont trade either one to move up in draft Tallon!
Posted by: litespeedvb1 | March 10, 2011 at 03:14 PM
I wish we had gone out and gotten an Andrew Ladd or Byfuglien to play next to Weiss, who has so much heart but just not enough size. Maybe one of these years the organization will get it right and bring in a true PF to make up for his lack of size.
Posted by: Big Slap Shot Bob | March 10, 2011 at 03:18 PM
PANTHERS ARE A JOKE
Good day
Posted by: Yormark the Criminal | March 10, 2011 at 03:34 PM