Final
Lightning try to avoid fifth straight loss vs. Panthers
Oct 17, 2011 - 2:47 PM (Sports Network) - The struggling Tampa Bay Lightning will try to avoid a fifth straight loss when they host the Florida Panthers in the finale of a home-and-home series at St. Pete Times Forum.Tonight's test is also the home opener for the Lightning, who began this season on a five-game road trip.
Tampa Bay had a strong 25-11-5 record on home ice last season before making a surprise run to the Eastern Conference finals. The Lightning came within one win of a trip to the Stanley Cup Finals, but lost a decisive Game 7 in Boston by a 1-0 score.
The Lightning opened the 2011-12 campaign with a 5-1 victory in Carolina, but that was Tampa's only win on its season-opening trip.
Tampa Bay fell to 1-2-2 on the year after losing a shootout Saturday in Sunrise. Florida's Marcel Goc was the only successful shootout participant, giving the Panthers a 3-2 win in the opener of the home-and-home set.
Ed Jovanovski and Kris Versteeg each scored in regulation for Florida, which won its home opener after splitting its first two games on the road.
"It was great out there and most importantly was that we got the win," said Jovanovski. "That's what we're here for and the longer you go into your career the more the wins mean to you."
Jose Theodore stopped 28 shots, including five in overtime, while Mathieu Garon made 36 saves in defeat.
"I think we played a great game today and battled back twice," said Garon. "That shows you how hard it can be in this league, that we had to fight this hard just to get the one point."
Marc-Andre Bergeron lit the lamp twice in the third period for the Lightning.
Florida won four of six meetings with the Lightning last season and has taken five of seven and eight of 12 overall in the series. The Panthers also have three wins in their last five trips to Tampa.
- FLORIDA: 7
TAMPA BAY: 4
Final
Oct 17 10:13 PM - Florida Power-Play Goal - Jason Garrison (2), from Brian Campbell and Kris Versteeg at 16:47.
Panthers 7, Lightning 4 3rd - 3:13Oct 17 10:07 PM - Tampa Bay Goal - Steven Stamkos (2), from Matt Gilroy and Marc-Andre Bergeron at 10:53.
Panthers 5, Lightning 4 3rd - 9:07Oct 17 9:50 PM - Florida Power-Play Goal - Kris Versteeg (3), from Tomas Fleischmann and Stephen Weiss at :25.
Panthers 5, Lightning 3 3rd - 19:35Oct 17 9:33 PM - FLORIDA: 4
TAMPA BAY: 3
End of 2nd
Oct 17 9:15 PM - Florida Goal - Kris Versteeg (2), from Stephen Weiss and Brian Campbell at 2:35.
Panthers 3, Lightning 2 2nd - 17:25Oct 17 8:42 PM - FLORIDA: 2
TAMPA BAY: 2
End of 1st
Oct 17 8:20 PM - Florida Power-Play Goal - Stephen Weiss (2), from Dmitry Kulikov and Brian Campbell at 17:12.
Panthers 2, Lightning 2 1st - 2:48Oct 17 8:16 PM - Tampa Bay Power-Play Goal - Teddy Purcell (2), from Ryan Shannon at 9:22.
Panthers 1, Lightning 1 1st - 10:38Oct 17 7:59 PM - Florida Power-Play Goal - Tomas Kopecky, from Ed Jovanovski and Brian Campbell at 6:15.
Panthers 1, Lightning 0 1st - 13:45Oct 17 7:50 PM - FLORIDA: 0
TAMPA BAY: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Oct 17 7:42 PM
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