Ben Bishop even got hurt in the third period and the Blues had to resort to their fourth-string goaltender, but nary a puck passed the home team's goalies.
Stephen Weiss came out early and skated but was scratched with a groin injury close to game-time. Anthony Stewart was in and Kamil Kreps, who had been scratched prior to the game, was put back into the lineup.
So, maybe you can say it was ill-fated from the start.
Whatever the case, the Panthers have been extremely inconsistent thus far. I think that's both promising, and maybe a little unnerving. They have shown that when they play this new offensive style properly, they can be a great, exciting and fast team. When they don't, they've been downright ugly this year. In my mind, this is an indication that if they keep at it, they'll start bringing that game consistently and as that happens, everyone will improve.
Still, it's going to take a lot of hard work and the power play is a must. It's been simply terrible since the season opener. Nearly 30 opportunities since then and only one tally on the man advantage.
Practice, practice, practice. And let's hope for conditioning that carries the team through the tough back-to-back nights.
Anthony Stewart looked great. He had a ton of energy, skated hard, threw his weight around and took some shots. He found the penalty box, but I think he has earned (again) more ice time.
****
Rochester got hammered again tonight by Syracuse. It's a team they just can't beat. Shawn Matthias did add an assist on the Amerks' lone goal, while Duco fought -- and comfortably dropped -- Ryan Garlock and Emmerson and Mirasty squared up a couple times. Mirasty, despite being smaller than Godzilla, is a better fighter hands down, and he seems to have shown it tonight.
The final score on another poor outing from Chris Beckford-Tseu was 6-1 in favor of the Crunch.
Jason Garrison looked good for the Cats, I thought. He played with a ton of confidence and he was dropped right in on the power play. He kept the puck in a few times in his early shifts, made some passes and fired a shot that didn't make it on net. I imagine we'll still be seeing Cullimore or someone in the very near future, though. Garrison was the most available player to the Panthers with injuries, waiver status and the like.
****
David Shantz stopped 24 of 25 for Dayton tonight, helping the Bombers to a 3-1 win against Cincinnati. . . Colby Robak powered the Brandon Wheat Kings to a win against Kelowna scoring two of the three Brandon goals in a 3-2 victory. . . In the OHL, Adam Comrie scored a goal tonight for Saginaw, though the Spirit lost, 5-4. . .
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