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Olesz scores twice to lift Panthers past Devils

Jan 28, 2007 - 4:41 AM SUNRISE, Florida (Ticker) -- Rostislav Olesz had Martin Brodeur all figured out.

Olesz scored twice and Jozef Stumpel had a tally and two assists as the Florida Panthers recorded a 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils.

Fresh off his 89th career shutout in Friday's 2-0 victory at Tampa Bay, Brodeur entered Saturday's contest having allowed just seven goals in his last six contests.

However, Olesz was able to twice beat the two-time Vezina Trophy winner, scoring in the first period and again in the middle session. His 10th tally of the season at 3:51 of the second period off a quick snap shot tied the game at 2-2.

"We were really focused on having a big first period and we played very good, we had a good tempo," said Olesz, who was in the minor leagues earlier this season.

"He's a young guy who we count on who's developing well," Panthers coach Jacques Martin said. "His whole game has really picked up (since he returned from the minors). It was a good experience for him."

Joel Kwiatkowski scored his fifth goal of the season with 2:38 left in the second period to give the Panthers a 3-2 lead. He beat Brodeur with high shot from the middle of the slot.

"I just put it on the net and it happened to beat him," Kwiatkowski said. "It was a huge game for us. We have to go on a little run here, we all know that. The sooner we start the better."

The Devils were unable to get the equalizer although they came within inches of doing so with 48 seconds remaining.

Off a scramble in front of the Florida net, Brian Gionta raised his stick in celebration after be batted the puck out of mid-air behind goaltender Ed Belfour. However, the puck hit the goalpost before Belfour, who made 30 saves, fell on top of it in the crease.

"We've known (Belfour) - he's been around the league a long time," Devils coach Claude Julien said. "He made the key saves when he had to tonight. But our goaltender did the same things on our end, so it was a good battle of goaltenders tonight, no doubt."

Brodeur (476) and Belfour (469) are the active leaders in career wins.

Stumpel, who assisted on both of Olesz's goals, scored into an empty net with 21 seconds left to seal things for Florida, which has won consecutives games since returning from the All-Star break. They last put together back-to-back wins December 27-29.

Gionta scored in the first period and rookie Johnny Oduya tallied in the second for the Devils, who lost for just the second time in seven games.

Brodeur made 28 saves.

"It was them (Panthers) being really, really fresh," said Brodeur, who leads the league with 30 wins. "They skated really, really good - as good as a team's skated all year against us."