Despair in New York

Coach Tom Renney (far left, with hat) orders his troops down for the night. Questioned by New York media on the play of Florida's Craig Anderson, Renney responded in kind: "He's a sockdologizing old man-trap".

Cats Pummel Rangers 4-0

In a strange yet fulfilling turn of events, the Panthers piled it on this afternoon in New York, leaving the home team gasping for air after allowing four goals. Craig Anderson earned the shutout.

TLB has a couple of things to attend to at the moment, but we'd be remiss in not turning your attention to the game highlights, particularly Michael Frolik's second goal - a sweet backhander - of the season. It's a thing of beauty. Nicely done, Cats. No Horton. No Zednik. No Stillman. No problem.

Are the Panthers "there" yet? Remains to be seen, but the past three games have gone a long way toward changing a few attitudes.

AccuScore Prediction: Rangers 2.5, Panthers 2

This should be an interesting game, considering what went down two days ago in Sunrise, with the Cats coming back in a big way but ultimately falling in the skills competition. Not that anyone is question Pete DeBoer's shootout decision making abilities (subtle hint: Boot_). As long as Florida doesn't spot their opponent two goals right from the start, it should be competitive, like the last matchup was, after the first three minutes. Keep in mind, this is a 1 pm start, so get the popcorn and beer early, cozy up to the big-screen, and...turn on the radio. No TV for us schlubs down here. No television. For the away game at Madison Square Garden. Pathetic.

Game Day! Cats at Rangers

"Two periods and a fight later, and my Arrid Extra Dry still has me covered!"

Big News!

It's a wild day at the BAC, with heavily-discounted tickets, free food, cheap swag, and open practices for BOTH the Cats and Rangers. I'd be there if I weren't working. Then again, they just cut my pay, so perhaps I'll cough up a lung and head south...

Oh yeah, there's a game tonight as well.

AccuScore Prediction: Panthers(!) 2.6 over Rangers' 2.4

Now I'm worried. Take cover, bring in the kids, lock the doors. Even after the loss of Nathan Horton, the Cats are projected to outscore the Rangahs, according to AccuScore. Must be the addition of center Nick Tarnasky that puts 'em over the top.

By the way, so far, Tarnasky should be playing tonight, and it will be fascinating to see where he's placed. Rumor has it that C Shawn Matthias is going to be called up. Horton is out, as are Richard Zednik and Cory Stillman. Question: Outside of David Booth (11G), does that troika represent all of Florida's hopes?

New York is seeking their third consecutive win, while Florida (4-3-1 in the past eight) looks to, well, get points any way they can. It's that desperate.

One of the finest Rangers-themed sites on the net, Scotty Hockey is the only place to go for coverage of the New York side of the ice.

Dust Continues to Settle

Hadn't seen this bit of info before now, but certainly found it interesting if true:

"The New York Rangers. The Florida Panthers.

Those were the teams Bryan McCabe presented to the Maple Leafs as preferred destinations for a trade this summer after realizing the Toronto organization no longer wanted him."

Hmmm. Don't usually see those two lumped together, except when discussing playoff underachievers.

Mike Zeisberger has the call from The Sun.

As if on Cue...

...all three local newsies had Panther-related stories or blog updates within the last day, prompted primarily by the hiring of Benoit Groulx as head coach of the AHL Americans.

Let's pretend a wintry mix of snow and freezing temperatures are bombarding our lawns and whisking us away to a happier time of year for all of us as we take in the latest from the Big Three.








At the Miami Herald, George Richard's On Frozen Pond talks of the Groulx hiring, profiles which current, previous, (and one soon-to-be-former?) Cats have made their way back to South Florida in preparation for the upcoming season. Also, a most insightful argument why Richard Zednik should not be a Panther come October. And I kinda agree with GR: it's all for the good of the team.







The Palm Beach Post features Brian Biggane's Inside the Panthers, covering a bit more of what's become Groulx-mania. The concensus around the web is that JM the GM got himself one heck of a good bench boss.






And the Sun-Sentinel's Steve Gorten delves into - you guessed it - that new guy in Rochester, along with a standard-issue JM transaction denial.




From the blogosphere, Scotty Hockey gives his preseason take on the Cats. Just another non-biased, insightful, and informed Rangah fan showing love and respect for the Southeast. Give it a whirl, it's worth a chuckle. Anyone care to debate his reasoning?