The Panthers are 2-5-3 in their last ten contest yet manage to
hold onto second place in the Southeast Division with
22 points. Goes to show it pays to be in a weak division.
Let's face facts and admit hockey in Florida just isn't going
to fly. Swim, perhaps. But fly? No. The whole novelty wore
off in '95. Of course, I never have been one for those long
books.
Random Notes
...and On a Good Day
Some days you feel like a nut and some days you don't.
Those words of the ancients scream of prophecy when applied to
Radek Dvorak's, and the Panthers', season thus far. Nutty = good.
Not nutty = bad. So simple, yet so easy too!
On a side note, that's the opposite way in which I'd compare the
merits of chocolate chip cookies.
Coach Terry Murray had this to say: "There was a stretch after
the start of the season where Dvorak did a lot of good stuff. He
was using his trump card -- his speed. He was creating chances
and scoring. But when you get a little complacent -- that's when
you slip. Don't look any further than in the mirror. That's what
I mean by accountability."
Unfortunately, Coach Murray had no comment on how he likes
his cookies.
Go-to Guy Needed
The Panthers lack a patsy, someone who can be counted on to
take the blame when they fail to score key game-tying,
game-winning goals. "We're looking for 'that' line or 'that'
guy or for 'those' guys," coach Murray revealed. "We need to
have somebody to look to when the shit hits the fan."
Who's "that guy" going to be? "I think everybody's got to take
it upon themselves to be that guy," Rob Niedermayer said.
Ciccarelli Off the Hook
Dino started his second game of the season on Saturday after
being out since November 4th with a hairline fracture in his
back. Ciccarelli scored twice in the game to snag the Panthers a
tie with division-leading Carolina. Obviously, he brings his
special purpose to the game. Just ask Terry Murray.
"He's just got that knack to outbang you, out-energize you,
and he's always taken a pile of abuse. When you see his
helmet flying off and flying up in the air, you know he's
doing what he does best. And that's why he energizes the team,
because he brings other players to his aid. And he gets the
fans involved, gives the building a lot of energy. So he's been
very popular anywhere he's played."
Ciccarelli has 605 career goals, ninth on the all-time list
and third among active players (Wayne Gretzky - 890, Mark
Messier - 607). He is within reach of passing Mario
Lemieux (613) and Bobby Hull (610) later this season.
