The Florida Panthers kicked off their 2015-16 preseason on an even note, splitting their doubleheader series against the Nashville Predators with a 3-2 overtime win in Game #2. The game was played at the Bridgestone Arena. While the game was only broadcasted over radio, here are some stats and facts for everyone.
Rosters
Game #1
D Steven Kampfer
D Alex Petrovic
F Jayce Hawrluk
F David Booth
F Derek MacKEnzie
F Rocco Grimaldi
F Martin Havlat
F Jussi Jokinen
D Brent Regner
F Greg McKegg
F Quinton Howden
D Sena Acolatse
F Logan Shaw
D Jonathan Racine
F Dave Bolland
F Brandon Pirri
F Connor Brickley
D Josh Brown
NOTE: The goaltenders were Mike McKenna (two periods) and Colin Stevens (one period).
Game #2
D Dylan Olsen
D Aaron Ekblad
D Dmitry Kulikov
F Aleksander Barkov
F Reilly Smith
F Vincent Trocheck
F Shawn Thornton
F Nick Bjugstad
F Garrett Wilson
F Shane Harper
D Cameron Gaunce
D Erik Gudbranson
F Chase Balisy
D Mackenzie Weegar
F Corban Knight
D Michael Matheson
F Lawson Crouse
F Kyle Rau
NOTE: The goaltenders were Al Montoya and Sam Brittain.
Statistics
Game #1
Florida
- Goals: Connor Brickley (1), Jussi Jokinen (1)
- Assists: Brent Regner (1), Brandon Pirri (1), Alex Petrovic (1)
- Special Teams: Power Play (2 for 7); Penalty Kill (3 for 5)
- Shots On Goal (SOG): 22
- Saves: 24
Nashville
- Goals: Filip Forsberg (2), Vladislav Kamenev (1), Roman Josi (1), Colton Sissons (1)
- Assists: Pontus Aberg (1), Ryan Ellis (3), Miikka Salomaki (1), Austin Watson (1), Paul Gaustad (1), Roman Josi (1), Filip Forsberg (1)
- Special Teams: Power Play (2 for 5); Penalty Kill (5 for 7)
- Shots On Goal (SOG): 29
- Saves: 20
Game #2
Florida
- Goals: Aleksander Barkov (1), Shane Harper (1), Michael Matheson (1)
- Assists: Lawson Crouse (1), Vincent Trocheck (1), Nick Bjugstad, Kyle Rau (2), Shane Harper (1)
- Special Teams: Power Play (0 for 2); Penalty Kill (3 for 3)
- Shots On Goal (SOG): 26
- Saves: 27
Nashville
- Goals: Taylor Aronson (1), Mike Fisher (1)
- Assists: Max Gortz (1), Max Reinhart (1), Viktor Arvidsson (1), Calle Jamkrok (1)
- Special Teams: Power Play (0 for 3); Penalty Kill (2 for 2)
- Shots On Goal (SOG): 29
- Saves: 23
The Rat Trick
- Through listening to the Nashville Predators radio broadcast, there was one thing that any listener could take away: Aleksander Barkov was everywhere. At one point, the Predators’ play-by-play announcer commented that the Panthers might have cloned #16, as he seemed to be all over the ice throughout the game.
- The NHL have decided to have teams participate in the newly formatted 3 on 3 overtime after select preseason games, regardless of the outcome of the game itself. Florida’s first 3 on 3 unit: Aleksander Barkov, Vincent Trocheck, and Aaron Ekblad.
- Panthers Head Coach Gerard Gallant reunited Nick Bjugstad and Kyle Rau on a line. The two forwards have played with each other for two years at the University of Minnesota.
Coming Up Next
The Florida Panthers (1-1) will head back to South Florida to take on the Dallas Stars at the BB&T Center on Tuesday, September 22nd. The team will hold an on-ice session at the Panthers Ice Den tomorrow, Monday, September 21st. As always, team practices are open to the public.
Rats N' Pucks 