Panthers Dominate Lightning in Preseason Finale Amidst Penalty Mayhem

Florida Panthers Dominate Tampa Bay Lightning in Preseason Finale Amidst Penalty Mayhem

Sunrise, FL – The Florida Panthers wrapped up their preseason with a bang on Saturday night, delivering a commanding 7-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning in a game that was as much about the penalties as it was about the scoreline.

The matchup, held at the FLA Live Arena, echoed the intensity of their previous encounter in Tampa just days earlier, where a staggering 186 penalty minutes were recorded. This time, the first period alone saw the two teams combine for 64 penalty minutes and four game misconducts, setting the tone for a night filled with physical play and ejections.

Tampa’s Scott Sabourin, one of several players called up from the AHL just hours before the game, was ejected early after a reckless cross-check to Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad’s face at just 2:18 into the first period. Following the incident, Panthers Head Coach Paul Maurice confirmed that Ekblad would be reevaluated on Sunday, leaving fans anxious about the star defenseman’s condition.

Despite the chaos, the Panthers remained unfazed, focusing on their primary goal: securing two points. While the Lightning struggled with discipline, the Panthers capitalized on their power plays. Mackie Samoskevich and Evan Rodrigues both found the net, alongside a goal from Jack Studnicka, propelling Florida to a 3-0 lead by the end of the first period.

The second period continued the trend, with Tampa players frequently finding themselves in the penalty box. Florida took full advantage, with Jeff Petry and both Samoskevich and Rodrigues scoring again, extending the lead to a staggering 6-0.

Rodrigues capped off his impressive night with a hat trick in the third period, further solidifying Florida’s dominance. However, Samoskevich’s chance at a hat trick was cut short when he was one of four players ejected early in the final frame.

When the dust settled, the game concluded with an astonishing total of 274 penalty minutes, a testament to the fierce rivalry between these two Florida teams. The Panthers skated away with a decisive victory, setting a confident tone as they prepare for the regular season.

The two teams will meet again for their first regular-season clash on November 15 in Sunrise, promising another chapter in this heated rivalry. As the Panthers look ahead to Opening Night, fans are left buzzing from a night of hockey that was anything but ordinary.