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Inside The Panthers: Draft Preview Premieres June 18
Tuesday night June 18th at 8:30 P.M. Eastern time Fox Sports Florida will premiere “Inside The Panthers: NHL Draft Preview”.
This special episode will take an in depth look at how the Florida Panthers who currently have the 2nd overall pick in this summers NHL Draft are evaluating the talent available, as they look to add what is hoped to be a franchise player. Seth Jones, Nathan MacKinnon, and Jonathan Drouin are slated to be the top three choices, and depending on how things go down, the Florida Panthers could end up with any one of those three, or maybe not.
Frank Forte of Fox Sports Florida will sit down with Panthers’ general manager Dale Tallon and give viewers an inside look at how the Panthers are looking to add to their current list of homegrown talent that includes Calder Trophy winner Jonathan Huberdeau, Erik Gudbranson, and last year’s first round selection Michael Matheson.
In the event you miss Tuesday’s broadcast here’s a list of additional times you can see the show:
Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.
Monday, June 24, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.
Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 27, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
Friday, June 28, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.
Be sure to tune in for a glimpse into the future of the Florida Panthers.
Thanks for reading. We welcome your comments and opinions.
Follow the Panther Parkway crew on Twitter: me @FrankRekas, David Lasseter @davidlasseter , Paige Lewis @PaigeLewisFL, Jameson Cooper @JamesonCoop, and Amanda Land @HockeyGirl2530. Also, please join our FaceBook Fan Page and hit the like button, send us photos, and tell us what’s on your mind.
Happy Father’s Day With A Tribute To Mine.
I’d like to wish all the father’s a very Happy Father’s Day today. If that’s you, stop reading this and go hug your child(ren) and tell them you love them. If you aren’t a father but yours is still around, call him, go see him, and most of all, tell him you love him. It may be your last chance, and it’s something you won’t regret. Take it from someone who knows.
My father passed away at the tender age of 67. Less than 24 hours after our last phone conversation which ended with me saying I love you. Little did I know that would be the final time we spoke. It’s been 20 years this past May that he’s been gone, and I miss him every day. I will always remember the good times, and a few special moments that we shared together.
It’s those special moments that soften the anger that I feel when I think about his passing sometimes. Anger from the standpoint that he was cheated in life from never being able to see two very beautiful grandchildren, my daughter, and my niece. I’m confident though that my brother and I give our girls a glimpse of what our dad was like.
There were a few moments that always stick out in my mind that happened while growing up which I’ll never forget.
* He took me to my first hockey game at the old Chicago Stadium against my Mom’s wishes due to a blizzard like snowstorm. Some guy with the nickname “The Golden Jet” scored a goal, the place went crazy, and I was hooked for life.
* He pulled me out of school (again against my Mom’s wishes) so that I could go to opening day with my older brother. He wrote the note to my teacher which Mom refused to do. It went something like this: Dear Ms. Blake, Frank was taken out of class yesterday to attend a very important event. Opening day at Wrigley Field to watch the Chicago Cubs. Thanks for your understanding. Yea, that was pretty cool.
* There was a walkout in 6th grade due to a rumor that gym class and other after school activities would be forever canceled. Me and three of my friends decided to walk to downtown Chicago to join the protest. I honestly don’t remember if one even took place. We made it to the Lincoln Park area on Clark street which was about 5-7 miles from school, then turned around and walked home. Mom was furious, Dad was calm and supportive. I was exhausted. I came home safely, stood up for a cause, and gym class wasn’t cancelled. Hooray! I had nothing to do with it…. however, Ms. Blake I’m sure began to wonder if I was going to be a rebel the rest of my life.
* We went to see the movie Bang The Drum Slowly. A baseball movie about a catcher who had Parkinson’s disease. It was one of Robert DeNiro’s first major roles. The movie and storyline sad as it was, had me glued. So much so that I wanted to stay and watch it again. As the credits were rolling, my dad asked me, “wanna see it one more time”? YES! My dad went for more popcorn, which I’m sure I spilled, and we sat through it again.
* Finally, and this was a recurring event. My love for cheeseburgers and fries are because of my dad. On Saturday’s whether we were going to a Cubs game, or going to a movie or whatever else was happening on our day together, we’d always end up at the Hollywood Restaurant in Lincoln Square. We each would order a cheeseburger with fries. I had a coke, he had coffee. Ava the waitress, always talked us into a piece of pie for desert as well. Sometimes she just brought it over fresh out of the oven.
My dad is responsible for my love of sports, my stubborn ways, the little rebel in me, and for my quietly passionate behavior. Ok, sometimes it’s not so quiet. He taught me respect, to be myself, and to learn from mistakes while going after what you want in life. He wasn’t always perfect, but then again no one is.
I would give anything for one more cheeseburger and piece of pie.
Happy Father’s Day.
Thanks for reading. We welcome your comments and opinions.
Follow the Panther Parkway crew on Twitter: me @FrankRekas, David Lasseter @davidlasseter , Paige Lewis @PaigeLewisFL, Jameson Cooper @JamesonCoop, and Amanda Land @HockeyGirl2530. Also, please join our FaceBook Fan Page and hit the like button, send us photos, and tell us what’s on your mind.
Panther Parkway Headlines: Happy Father’s Day, Bruins Win, Huberdeau The Best Rookie, and More
Game two of the Stanley Cup Final ended in similar fashion to game one….dramatically, and in overtime. Dan Paille scored the game winner when Brendan Bollig of the Chicago Blackhawks couldn’t clear the puck out of the zone and now the series goes back to Boston tied at one game a piece. In brief, the first period was all Chicago as they peppered Tuukka Rask for 19 shots while holding the Bruins to 4. After that, Chicago meandered through the balance of the game, and seemingly became slower as Boston appeared to look fresher. Two teams that again are so evenly matched are giving fans all the drama, excitement, and disappointment that they can ask for. Andy why not? After a long and useless lockout, what else could the NHL do but give us extra hockey?
* Three Stars for game 2 from Puck Daddy.
* More NHL Awards were announced last night with the Florida Panther’s own Jonathan Huberdeau winning the Calder Trophy as the league’s best rookie. NHL.com.
* Outstanding article by Eric Duhatschek about the Hart Trophy which was won by Alex Ovechkin. Globe and Mail.
More after the break Read the rest of this entry
Panther Parkway Headlines: Game 2, NHL Awards, Alain Says No To Dallas, & Joey The Junior Reporter.
The drama of game one of the Stanley Cup Final between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins has set the bar for the balance of the series. A thrilling overtime victory by the Blackhawks in what is now the 5th longest Cup Final game in history, came after each team had numerous chances to score, but were thwarted either by a great defensive play, or a miraculous save from either Tuukka Rask or Corey Crawford. The depth of the Blackhawks proved once again to be invaluable in this one, as players like Andrew “I Love Shinpads” Shaw scored the game winner from a shot by defenceman Michael Rozsival that went off Dave Bolland’s stick, then off of Shaw’s pad. As teams exchanged chances well into the night, you could see the legs of the Bruins getting heavier and the conditioning of the Hawks taking over. Meanwhile as I remained intensely calm, the noises coming from @LilMissRatTrick who sat at the opposite end of the sofa, changed their pitch with each and every missed opportunity.
Neither team deserved to lose, but the Hawks who have been on a roll all season long got the “bounce” that good teams get when playing this way. However, this is not to say that this series is lopsided by any stretch of the imagination. Two very evenly matched teams that play different styles, yet have the ability to adapt when needed, will prove to make this series one for the ages. The Bruins who might be without ex-Panther Nathan Horton who has a shoulder injury kept attacking, but gave up numerous shots. In their defence, they also blocked almost as many. The Hawks on the other hand seem to have another gear to shift into, and with such a long rest between games, could show that tonight. The Hawks gave up their fair share of chances as well, but Corey Crawford who has been outstanding throughout the playoffs was once again, “Crawsome”. Buckle up people. The ride’s gonna be rough, but more than worth hanging on for.
Here’s your headlines after the break: Read the rest of this entry
Stanley Cup Final Preview: Blackhawks vs. Bruins. We’ve Waited For This.
The fans of Chicago waited 49 years for the Blackhawks to win a Stanley Cup, and after a few near misses over the years, they did just that in 2010. Tonight the journey begins once more, just three seasons later as the Hawks take on the Boston Bruins in an original six matchup that hasn’t happened since 1979 when the Montreal Canadiens beat the New York Rangers. As the playoffs began, my dream matchup would have been the Hawks taking on the Pittsburgh Penguins so that once and for all I could release the anger of 1992 that’s been gurgling in my stomach. Nonetheless, this will certainly do, and promises to be one H-E- double hockey sticks of a series that will leave one team beaten and bruised, and another jubilant and rewarded. And absoutely exhausted.
While the Blackhawks had to stave off elimination during the post season, the Boston Bruins dug themselves into a huge hole when they saw themselves on the brink of elimination down 4-1 in Game 7 against the Leafs. As we all know, Boston came back from a three games to one deficit to beat the Maple Leafs of Toronto, and did so in thrilling fashion. They then quickly disposed of the Penguins, holding them to two goals over four games, as Tuukka Rask appeared to be a brick wall that couldn’t be cracked. The Bruins led by the always charming Claude Julien, figured out a way to contain all the scoring threats of Pittsburgh in that Eastern Conference series, and maintained a stranglehold on the Penguins offence that will be talked about all summer. The Bruins offer toughness from all four lines, their six defencemen, and will make it difficult for the Chicago forwards to penetrate the offensive zone. The same was said of LA’s defence, however the Blackhawks figured out a way to expose their weaknesses, and use their overall team speed to apply all the pressure on goaltender Jonathan Quick.
More after the jump Read the rest of this entry
Panther Parkway Headlines: Hawks Clinch, Hat Trick Kane, Krueger Fired And More!
The opening montage from Hockey Night In Canada to start off last night’s game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings. The song is The Funeral, by Band of Horses. Premonition at the time?
* The Three Stars for Saturday night from Puck Daddy.
* The National Anthem from last night’s game. Thanks to @hawknut for posting on Twitter.
* Did Patrick Kane and the Blackhawks “steal” one last night? Maybe. Kane however picked the perfect time to light things up. The Committed Indian.
* The Kings were emotionally drained as well as beat up. NHL.com.
* Oilers fire coach Ralph Krueger. TSN.ca.
* Hawks and Bruins will be the first original 6 Stanley Cup Final since 1979. Globe and Mail.
* A look at learning the game. Backhand Shelf.
* The Dallas Stars ink aging defenceman sergei Gonchar for a cool 10 million over 10 years. Puck Daddy.
Finally, I’d like to add that while this is primarily a Florida Panthers site, we will always take a look at other NHL news. And since I was born and raised in Chicago, there will always be some sort of coverage on the Blackhawks (we need to know how Frolik is doing right?). As we head into the Stanley Cup Final, there could be even more. If you are a Panther fan, you can watch, read and learn something about a team that was in dire sraights just a decade ago, and for for many years. General Manager Dale Tallon was instrumental in building that team as they went on to win their first Cup in 49 years when the Hawks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010. The plan is for that to be done here in South Florida as well. Like I’ve had all post season with the Hawks, I have faith. Faith that the Hawks will do what needs to be done, and faith that Tallon will be allowed to do what he needs to do to change the direction of this Florida Panthers hockey club.
Wednesday night.
4
#One goal.
Thanks for reading. We welcome your comments and opinions.
P.S. The Springsteen shirt is 7-1. #TheBoss
Follow the Panther Parkway crew on Twitter: me @FrankRekas, David Lasseter @davidlasseter , Paige Lewis @PaigeLewisFL, Josh Luecht @eyesonsunrise, Jameson Cooper @JamesonCoop, Scott Mullin @GreatScottsman, Gabby Kiger @gabbykiger, and Amanda Land @HockeyGirl2530. Also, please join our FaceBook Fan Page and hit the like button, send us photos, and tell us what’s on your mind.
Blackhawks Primed To Deliver Knockout Punch Tonight.
Game four between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Los Angeles Kings was to be a pivotal game in the series. The Hawks were up two games to one, and had just lost their best defenceman Duncan Keith for this game, who has possibly been their best player this postseason. The Kings on the other hand were 22-0-0 on home ice when scoring first, had won game three, and seemed to have found a spark in youngster Tyler Toffoli. The Kings shut down the Hawks in game three just enough to prevent them from creating much offence, and frustrated their skilled players, and made Patrick Kane of the Hawks virtually invisible. The winner of game four had the chance to take a stranglehold on the series, or even things up. For a brief moment it looked like Los Angeles was about to turn the tide.
However this isn’t the same Blackhawks team that struggled with the Phoenix Coyotes last post season, nor is it the same team that took the Vancouver Canucks to seven games in the opening round the year before. Matter of fact, this Blackhawks team could be even better than the team that won it all in 2010. While not annointing the Hawks champions at this point since the games must be played, the men with four feathers on their sweater did the little things on Thursday night, and overcame the adversity of being without defenceman Duncan Keith. This was no easy task, but the Hawks did all the right things at the right time to take a commanding lead in the Western Conference final, and are now in the driver’s seat tonight with game five to be played at the Madhouse on Madison.
Florida Panthers To Host Draft Party At The BB & T Center June 30th!
With the anticipation of the number two overall pick in this year’s upcoming player draft the Florida Panthers will be hosting a draft party at One Panther Parkway, otherwise known as the BB & T Center. This is a change from recent years as the organization typically held these events at one the the many Duffy’s Sports Grill restaurants.
WQAM and host Kevin Rogers will be breadcasting live along with TV color analyst Billy Lindsay and a Florida Panther player to be named (later). The Panthers are scheduled to draft second behind the Colorado Avalanche, however there has been talk that the Avalanche and their new coach former goaltender Patrick Roy may be interested in trading that pick. There have also been indications that general manager Dale Tallon is exploring his options as well. All of this is speculation at this point and nothing will be known for sure until each team is scheduled to take the podium.
For the complete announcement of the days events please click here.
The crew of Panther Parkway plans on being in attendance, and if you’re lucky we may even do a live podcast for a portion of the day.
We look forward to seeing you there.
In the meantime, enjoy the balance of the post season.
Thanks for reading. We welcome your comments and opinions.
Follow the Panther Parkway crew on Twitter: me @FrankRekas, David Lasseter @davidlasseter , Paige Lewis @PaigeLewisFL, Josh Luecht @eyesonsunrise, Jameson Cooper @JamesonCoop, Scott Mullin @GreatScottsman, Gabby Kiger @gabbykiger, and Amanda Land @HockeyGirl2530. Also, please join our FaceBook Fan Page and hit the like button, send us photos, and tell us what’s on your mind.
Can The Blackhawks Overcome Duncan Keith’s One Game Suspension?
Tonight the Chicago Blackhawks will go into game four against the Los Angeles Kings still leading two games to one in their conference final series, but will be without one of their best players, Duncan Keith. Keith as you know, unless you are living somewhere in the construction disaster on I-595 here in South Florida was suspended for tonight’s game for this “careless” retaliatory move to the face of Jeff Carter. Also for your viewing pleasure, here is the Brendan Shanahan’s explanation of the suspension itself. Whether you agree or disagree with Shanahan, I know that when I grew up, the first punch went unnoticed, and the second one was the one that always got “you” in trouble.
While Carter is no model citizen himself, and may have provoked Keith into the careless move, I’m not here to justify either the suspension, or the act itself. Keith did say he was sorry, and that he didn’t intend on hitting Carter in the face, but he did, and now his team will have to pay for it. The bigger dilemna however is how much of an issue is this for the Blackhawks? Keith is the minute muncher for Chicago and is the catalyst on their defence that makes players like Brent Seabrook (his main defensive partner) better. Earlier in the regular season when the Hawks defence wasn’t operating at peak performance, coach Joel Quenneville separated the two partners in hopes that the Hawks would play better, which they did. Then Seabrook went into a late season and early playoff funk of his own, and the two were reunited (and it feels so good), and instantly, his game returned to form. Largely because of his familarity with Keith, and because it’s the pair that makes things difficult for the oppoition, and so much easier for the Hawks.
More after the jump
Eastern Conference Final Preview: Penguins’ Skill vs. Bruins’ Brawn.
Once the post season began, many thought that this would be the conference final that we’d see, and for those of you that like black and gold, or yellow, you’ll be seeing quite a bit of that as the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Boston Bruins in game one tonight. Both teams were looking to improve themselves at the trade deadline as each team was romancing Jarome Iginla, who ultimately chose the Pittsburgh Penguins, as did Brenden Morrow for their destination.
The season series featured three games all won by the Penguins, and all three games being decided by one goal. Ex-Panther Tomas Vokoun was in net for two of the three games, and will start the opener as coach Dan Bylsma continues to stay with the hot hand after Marc-Andre Fleury proved he couldn’t stop a beach ball. Not a bad option for Pittsburgh, and should Vokoun falter himself, going back to Fleury will be something Bylsma won’t hesitate to do if he feels it to be the right decision. The Bruins on the other hand were on the brink of extinction at the hands of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the opening round, but somehow found a way to score three goals in the final 10 minutes to tie the score, and then won in overtime to take the series. Each team was able to dispose of their second round opponent without too much difficulty and are primed to go the distance in their quest for a Stanley Cup final appearance.
Let’s get to it shall we after the page break:
Jameson Cooper
David Lasseter
gabbykiger
Amanda Land
Josh Luecht
Paige Lewis
Scott Mullin
Frank Rekas
