Sunrise, FL – Third time’s a charm! The Florida Panthers look for their 1st win of the season as they take on the Vancouver Canucks. Vancouver is coming off a win versus our neighbors to the west, the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Canucks sport a record of 2-2-0 heading into this game. Tonight, the Cats are celebrating their 1st Legacy Saturdays of the season, in honor of Roberto Luongo’s 1000th game, played back on April 5th vs. Boston. He, of course, got the W. Luongo is only the 3rd GK in NHL history to reach the milestone.

Celebrating a Legacy that will last a lifetime. Congrats, Lu. pic.twitter.com/4oA9maei6V — Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) October 13, 2018

The Panthers’ seasoned vet has been out with a lower-body injury, so James Reimer (Optimus Reim) got the start. The Panthers outshot the Canucks 11-9 in the 1st period, but couldn’t take advantage of their five-plus minutes of power-play time.

It’s 0-0 at the end of the 1st period from the BB&T Center. The @FlaPanthers have been the aggressors, keeping those Canucks on their toes! #FlaPanthers #OneTerritory 😼 pic.twitter.com/Fzebhy7Ern — Lemon City Live (@LemonCityLive) October 14, 2018

The 2nd period was a rollercoaster of emotions! I felt like Katy Perry, Hot N’ Cold. Florida opened up the score in minute 7:29, when Jonathan Huberdeau, assisted by Vincent Trocheck found the back of the net. However, less than a minute later, Troy Brouwer was penalized for hooking and Elias Pettersson scored a power-play goal for Vancouver. The Cats shrugged it off, and worked their way back, taking the lead once again in minute 2:40 on Trocheck goal, assisted by, who else? Keith Yandle! He led all Panthers defensemen last season in assists. Caught sleeping, defensemen Bogdan Kiselevich was called for a hooking penalty against Antoine Roussel, and the Canucks were awarded a penalty shot that Roussel converted. “You’re hot then you’re cold. You’re yes then you’re no. You’re in then you’re out. You’re up then you’re down…” You know the rest. Where’s Left Shark when you need him?

What’s going on here, @FlaPanthers? The cats were caught sleeping. Immediately following Trocheck’s goal, the @Canucks we’re awarded a penalty and capitalized, once again tying the game. #FlaPanthers #OneTerritory 😾 pic.twitter.com/xos3iMeeCz — Lemon City Live (@LemonCityLive) October 14, 2018

The 3rd period wasn’t much better. With over 12 minutes remaining in the game, the Panthers allowed Bo Horvat to give the Canucks the 3-2 lead, in what seemed like some confusion after the Cats’ line change. Coach Bob Boughner said in his postgame press conference, “A couple of glaring things is everytime we take the lead its tough when the momentum changes and another team ties it up right after, and it’s a pattern so far in the first three games…”

Florida Panthers coach Bob Boughner following the loss to Vancouver tonight. Posted by Lemon City Live on Saturday, October 13, 2018

The Cats fell to the Canucks 3-2, and once again, it was their defense that couldn’t hold the lead. Let’s hope this isn’t a theme this season. Next up, the Panthers travel to face the Philadelphia Flyers, Tuesday, October 16th. Puck drops at 7 PM.

Your @FlaPanthers fall to the @Canucks 3-2, losing the lead twice, and ultimately allowing Vancouver to take the game away in the 3rd period. #VANvsFLA #FlaPanthers #OneTerritory 😾 pic.twitter.com/j8fBwrurTg — Lemon City Live (@LemonCityLive) October 14, 2018

📷Credit: Robert Mayer – USA TODAY Sports

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