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Gelinas, Bouwmeester lift Panthers to first victory

Sep 28, 2006 - 2:10 AM SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- Martin Gelinas and defenseman Jay Bouwmeester scored goals just over three minutes apart in the second period to lift the Florida Panthers to a 2-0 preseason victory over the Atlanta Thrashers.

Alexander Auld stopped 28 shots to notch the shutout for the Panthers, who won their first game after five regulation losses and an overtime setback.

Gelinas' power-play goal gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead with 6:32 left in the second period, when he beat Atlanta goaltender Kari Lehtonen. Bouwmeester scored with 3 1/2 minutes to go.

Lehtonen stopped 35 shots for the Thrashers, who went 0-for-8 on the power play.

Florida, which played without right wing Todd Bertuzzi, went 1-for-6 with the extra man. The Panthers are 1-for-12 on the power play in their last two contests.

Auld and Bertuzzi were part of the five-player deal that sent goaltender Roberto Luongo to Vancouver on June 23. Auld registered career highs with 67 appearances and 33 wins last season.

Atlanta right wing Marian Hossa, whose 92 points were 11th in the league in 2005-06, did not suit up.