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Bertuzzi looks to continue fresh start with Panthers

Oct 7, 2006 - 2:10 PM Florida (1-0-0) at Atlanta (0-0-1) 7:00 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Todd Bertuzzi felt right at home in his new surroundings in his home debut. He hopes it continues on the road.

Bertuzzi will lead the Florida Panthers against the Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday in the second of back-to-back games to open the season.

Bertuzzi scored a goal and set up three others and Joe Nieuwendyk tallied twice and added an assist as the Panthers rolled to an 8-3 victory over the Boston Bruins on Friday in the season opener for both teams.

Acquired in a blockbuster trade that sent goaltender Roberto Luongo to Vancouver during the offseason, the much-maligned Bertuzzi was hoping to get off to a fresh start in the "Sunshine State." Things could not have worked out better for the rugged forward as he opened the scoring with a power-play goal 6 1/2 minutes into the game.

The Thrashers, who fell two points short of a playoff appearance last season, started the new campaign with a tough loss. Marc Denis stopped all three attempts in the shootout and Vincent Lecavalier scored the lone goal of the bonus format as the Tampa Bay Lightning recorded a 3-2 triumph over Atlanta on Friday.

The Thrashers have won six straight at home from Florida and 10 of 13 overall.