Panthers Blow Three Goal Lead

The Florida Panthers finished up a three-game homestand on Sunday and were defeated by the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in a shootout at the Bank Atlantic Center. The Panthers had won both previous meetings this season which involved both teams playing their home openers. Following a Vincent Lecavalier hooking penalty one minute into the game, Florida scored on their first power play at 1:49. Kris Versteeg passed from the right corner to Brian Campbell who then wristed a shot from the high slot over Mathieu Garon's left shoulder for his first goal as a Panther. The team added to the lead at 13:05 on a breakout play from of the defensive zone which led to a two-on-one. Jack Skille skated with the puck through center ice into the Lightning zone then backhanded a pass across to Tomas Kopecky(2) who finished the play with a top right circle shot. Garon was pulled from the game for Dwayne Roloson after he gave up a wrist shot goal from the left circle by Mike Santorelli, his first goal this season, at 15:21. The Lightning came back in the second period with a Ryan Malone(4) power play goal at 16:20 followed by Steven Stamkos with his tenth goal this season, tied for the NHL lead, at 17:46. Tampa Bay finished off being three goals down at 8:11 of the third as Steve Downie put in a rebound shot in the lower crease area for his second this year. Former Panther Dominic Moore was the only player to convert in the shootout. He was fourth up during the session for his team. Florida travels to Toronto and Winnipeg later this week.