Game # 6 (April 17)
FLAMING LEAFS GRILLED PANTHERS 2:5

(Houston, TX) After being retired from my normal NHL reporting since the regular season had ended, it was time for this reporter to head back south and follow the team I truely love, The Houston Panthers.  Let's get a quick recap of the season so far.  Before heading into last night's game, the Panthers were 3-2, losing only to the top two team in the league. Both losses however were close, and did not represent the season of hardship bestowed upon the Panthers last season.  The cause fot the turnaround...finally a good draft.  In the off seaon, the Panthers picked up defensemen Greg Tompkins and Kent Parker.  Upfront, the Panthers acquired solid position player, Eugene Balakirov.  The core of the team stayed mostly intact.  These additions seem to put the Panthers in good shape to make the playoffs and possible win the cup, bowl, or what ever you get from winning the HHA B-League.

 

The Panthers entered tonight's contest with a winning record, but the Maple Leafs were looking for a little payback as the Panthers beat the Leafs in their first meting of the season, 7-4.  The Panthers came out of the gate strong, with lots of pressure on the Leafs goalie and half way through the first, Travis Baker slid the puck five hole on the unsuspecting goalie for a 1-0 Panther lead. The rest of the Period was all Panthers.  Mark Smith tallied for a notch in his belt this season, giving the Panthers a 2-0 lead at the end of the first on a redirection from Scott Patlovich. 

 

In the second, the Panthers continued to apply the pressure, but the Leafs would not fall from their trees.  Midway through the second, Santini and Balakirov almost hooked up twice, the puck was just out of reach of Eugene for the first (prompting Eugene to check the length of stick and thus finding out that someone cut the extra inch he needed off, hey where the equipment manager?!) and Santini let the pass go to late for the second (always a little to late).  This would have made the game 4-0, but after two the score was 2-0 Panthers.

 

In the third, Travis Baker has his number called more times then in a Bingo Parlor.  The referee decided to make this a game, and with Barker in the Box for 6 of the 15 minutes in the third it became just that.  Right of the bat, the Leafs got a goal, about :30 into the third.  Then the flood gates opened and it seemed like an early fall for the Panthers, with the Leafs blanketing the cats.  The Panthers were chasing their tails and in the process let the lead and game slip away from them.  Final score 5-2, season series with the Maple Leafs 1-1.  Good seats still available for next weeks game against the North Stars.  Watch a Eugene Balakirov lights up his old mates!!!

In game eight, the Panthers looked to climb back to even their record to 4-4.  The only way to do this, beat the GDOs (Goalie Dumpin Outlaws).  Normally the Panthers have had trouble with the Outlaws in seasons past.  But when the game started, the Outlaws only had five skaters.  You would think this would be good news for the Panthers, but MIA from the line up were Perry, Glen, and Travis.  All the high priced talent was missing.  The Panthers would have to play good old fashion hockey tonight, because as the 1st period progressed, more and more GDOs arrived.  The team responded to management pleas.  The first period saw a hard skating Panthers squad, something that was missing last week.  The Panthers struck first, but then in typical fashion gave one right back which put the score to 1-1.  The the lines started clicking, towards the end of the first, Steadman found Kenny W, who roofed the puck over a sprawling Jesse.  At the end of one 2-1 Panthers, a lead.

 

The Second period was back and forth, both teams skating hards but neither able to find the back of the net, even with two power plays, the Panthers could not get a goal against the GDOs.  The Panther defense was solid.  The old line of White and Kamm seemed to click again, and the Parks and Parker line was working well too. No goals in the second, 2-1 Panthers.

 

The third period was sponsored by ESPN and plays of the week.  At the beginning of the period, the lights must have distracted Olaf Emery, when the GDOs tied it up within the first minute of the third.  But not to worry, about five minutes later, Steadman carried the puck in the from the right side, behind the net then a sweet pass to Eugene, who had even sweeter one timer from the slot, to put the Panthers up 3-2.  With Eugene's goal the Panthers responded to play defense and for-check the rest of the game.  They needed this win.  And with Time running down, the GDOs goalie played the puck from the bench with :03 second remaining.  Thus the Panthers were awarded another goal. 4-2  A win, a good win, now if they can keep that type of intensity up all season, they could win it all.  A just think what will happen when the three that were missing come back!

(Bossier City, LA)  After the victory against the Outlaws, the Panthers looked to make it 2 in a row by beating the first place Houston Brew.  Earlier this season, the Panthers did not fare well, losing 5-2.  Would this game be any different.  The Panther had a full bench and this would ultimately make the difference, not to mention the fact that line pairs were starting to gel, well some of them.  Back in action where the high dollar boys, which left Dave Steadman "as She Goes" to be sent down to the European line of Santini and Balakirov.  This pairing would be crucial.  The game started off with the Panthers playing keep away from the Brew in their defensive end, when the Panthers were tired of this one on two things happened, either the Panthers scored a gaol or changed lines.  Not too bad of a way to play hockey.  At the end of the first period, the Panthers were leading 3-0 on goals by Johannson, Barker and Balakirov.

 

At the beginning of the second, the Brew tried a new tactic, throw you body at the opposing player, act like you were tripped, then slide said player into the boards and pretend you are hurt.  Well, it seemed to work, the Panthers found themselves killing penalties in the second, and managed on two goals to be scored by the Brew in the second.  That's the bad news, however the good news is that those same three people who found the net the first period, found it in the second.  6-2 heading to the third.  Great individual effort by Travis Barker "At the Moon" and "Thrust and" Perry Johannson, and team work by the third line of Eugene, Dave and Steve.  It seems things are starting to fit together well for the Panthers.

 

In the third, few goals by lots of penalties.  It seems the method employed by the Brew was starting to work on the nerves of D-man, Greg Tompkins.  After being taken in to the boards by a sliding Gerty "like a fish out of water" flop, Greg illustrated his displeasure with a love tap, as the Gerty boys gets up and skates to the slot, Mr. White reminded him that his job as the newest Aerodrome Zamboni was not quite finished.  The results, no power plays for either team and Mr. Chez "Whitey" with a game misconduct for standing still as third man in.  Very interesting to say the least.  Well on the score board, Travis tallied one more for the hat trick and the Brew attempt at field goal was good.  The Panthers managed to keep the Brew out of the endzone, Final score 7-3, Panthers

(Houston, TX)  The Panthers met the Deadwings for the second time Wednesday night at Sharpstown Arena, with the Wings looking to even the season series to one a piece.  Once the officials stepped on to the ice, both teams knew it would a long game.  Big Mac with the whistle, and Santini and Hill on opposite benches, boys this had the making for some new rules, no one had ever heard of.  The game started out with a fast pace, both teams eager to jump out first and it was the Panthers who did such, but in typical Panther fashion, sub goalie Tom "Big Daddy" Barton, felt pity for the 7th place wings and let them even it up.  The game went back and forth for three periods when the Wing took a 5-4 lead into the third period, with about 5 minutes remaining, the Panthers took a penalty, but here is where the great new rules start, matched and misconducts with out Penalties or offsetting for the Panthers.  You do the math.  One Panther in the box for two minutes, two Deadwings kicked out for game misconducts, and no one serving the majors, how do the Deadwings get a power play, Groneman Math.  None the less, the Deadwings looked to finish off the Panthers, but Kent "Don't call me Peter" Parker hit a streaking "Lake" Travis Barker for a short handed breakaway, to tie the score at 5-5.  With less the a minute left, Tony Avacodo Alvarado decided to play wall and send Perry to the ground, a power play with less then a minute.  Could the Panthers over come and win?  The game ended 5-5 in regulation with the Panthers still on the PP to start the OT, with the Deadwing Superstar out, this could be their chance, but to no avail, no PP goal and no GW goal either, the result 5-5 tie with the Deadwings.  Next week, the rematch with the GDO's 9:45 Sugarland...