Thursday game scores

[flamesrule14]

Stars and Panthers Tie

Dallas,TX- The Dallas Stars and the Florida Panthers tied 5-5 last night. Both teams struggled defensively and the goalies were hung out to dry on several occasions. The Stars outshot the Panthers 31-29 and both teams PP were successful on the night. The Panthers went 3-6 while the Stars scored 2 PP goal on 7 opportunities.

In the first period the Panthers got the lead and looked like they were in control. Doig started the scoring off for the Panthers five minutes into the game. A little more then a minute later though Donald Audette tied the game up for the Stars. The Panthers quickly countered though as both Svitov and Afanasankov scored PP goals to put the Panthers up 3-1 after the first period. The Stars did have the shot advantage in the period 12-10. In the second period the Stars quickly scored to diminish the lead down to a goal when Jamie Lundmark got his fifth of the season. While on the PP though Mike Ribiero would put the Panthers up by 2 once again. At the ten minute mark Jaroslav Bednar continued his fine season in scoring his eighth goal of the season. However former Star Jason Williams would close out the scoring in the second as the Panthers went up 5-3. The goal also chased Ryan Miller from the Stars net. Miller struggled in making only 13 saves on 18 shots. In the third period the Stars were able to tie the game up. Young forward Krys Kolanos and offensive D-man Richard Jackman both scored PP goals in the period. For Jackman that was his first goal of the season and a huge relief for the struggling d-man. Former Star Jason Williams had a big night against his former club as he had a goal and three assist and was named the first star of the game. Star forward Donald Audette had a solid outting notching a goal and two assists.

Injury News- The Stars unfortunetly lost one of their goalscorers due to a dirty hit in the second period. Vladimir Orszagh was injured on a charging penalty from John Erskine. He is expected to be out for 1-2 weeks. Antti Laaksonen is also still recovering from his injury and is listed day to day.

Tomorrow night the Stars will host the same Florida Panthers in the 2nd game of a back to back. Miller is expected to once again get the start as Osgood is still fatigued.

[moon]

St. Pete Times

Game Story

The Tampa Bay Lightning came out very slow on Thursday as they fell behind 3-0 early but stormed back to tie it up at 3 with three third period goals. Playing without their captain and offensive leader, Ron Francis, due to his two game suspension, the Lightning turned to Brian Smolinski and Boris Mironov to pick up the slack. They came through with a goal each with Martin Straka finally scoring his first of the year with the game winner.

GM Moon was impressed with the way his team came back:

“It was great to see them come back like that. They could have easily quit, but they didn’t and that shows some great character. Unfortunately we cannot afford to get down like we did and the guys will have to improve their first periods if they want to make play-offs this year.”

The Lightning are excited to welcome Mats Lindgren back to the line-up after he missed a few games with a broken toe.

Tampa will next play Saturday at Colombus and will once again need secondary players to step up and provide the team with some offense.

[icarus]

Delayed response but:

269 KINGS 9 CANUCKS 2

Nice game all around. The day after scoring a hat trick, Scott Gomez is out of the lineup and the Kings still score nine. Nice work by Patrice Bergeron filling in for Gomez. Mike Leclerc still hot. Spreading around the scoring. I love it. Plus the Monarchs win again. Woohoo!