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Lehtonen helps Thrashers shut out Panthers

Sep 29, 2007 - 2:24 AM By Phil Foley PA Sportsticker Contributing Writer

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Kari Lehtonen and the Atlanta Thrashers are in midseason form.

Lehtonen stopped 30 shots and defenseman Alexei Zhitnik netted a power-play goal to lead the Thrashers to a 1-0 triumph over the Florida Panthers in the preseason finale for both clubs on Friday.

The 23-year-old Lehtonen had missed the club's first five preseason games with a groin injury before making his preseason debut in Wednesday's contest against the Panthers. Lehtonen allowed one goal in that one, helping the Thrashers to a 4-1 victory.

The Finnish goalie was even better in this one. Lehtonen was dominant, turning aside nine shots in the first period, eight in the second and seven in the third while helping successfully kill five power plays.

Once again, it was a penalty that proved costly for Florida.

David Booth and Gregory Campbell were whistled for holding and slashing, respectively, just 47 seconds apart with less than six minutes left in the second period. Florida, which was whistled for 11 penalties and allowed three power-play goals on Wednesday, successfully killed the first penalty but could not overcome the second.

Ilya Kovalchuk set up Zhitnik, who blasted a slap shot from just above the left faceoff circle past goaltender Tomas Vokoun with 4:26 remaining to give Atlanta a 1-0 advantage.

Vokoun stopped 23 shots for the Panthers, who finished the preseason with a record of 4-3-0.

Florida opens the regular season on the road against the New York Rangers on Thursday.

Atlanta finished the preseason at 5-2-0 and begins the defense of its Southeast Division crown at home against the Washington Capitals on October 5.