After clinching a playoff spot on Sunday for their fifth postseason appearance in franchise history, the Florida Panthers defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3 at Air Canada Centre on Monday night. They broken a franchise record as they reached their 99th point of the regular season. The Panthers compiled 98 points back in the 1999-2000 season. This game started the final road trip for the Cats during the regular season.
Florida dominated the second period with three goals during the frame. Nick Bjugstad put in his 14th tally of the season with assists from Aaron Ekblad and Reilly Smith at 1:34.
The Panthers moved out to a 2-1 margin at 10:31. Jiri Hudler placed a lead pass to the left side to Rocco Grimaldi. He skated into the left circle and put in a high wrist shot by Jonathan Bernier.
Grimaldi added his second goal of the game and third goal on the season on a Toronto turnover in their own end. Smith was on the right wing and sent a cross-ice pass to the top left circle where Grimaldi scored on a slapshot at 13:11.
The Maple Leafs attempted to bounce back in this contest and scored on a power-play goal at 5:50. Colin Greening scored from the high slot as William Nylander and Morgan Rielly were credited with assists. Former Florida Panther player T.J. Brennan scored his first goal in two years to help Toronto cut the deficit to 3-2 at 8:54.
It took 36 seconds for Florida to get back their two-goal lead. Ekblad fired a slapshot which was saved by Bernier, however Aleksander Barkov put in the rebound from the slot area.
Greening added his second goal of the contest sixth tally of the year at 11:53 from close range against Al Montoya. Tyler Bozak and P.A. Parenteau provided assists on the play.
Monday, April 4, 2016
Shaquille O'Neal Elected To Basketball Hall Of Fame
Former Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal was elected to the Basketball Hall Of Fame on Monday. He has been an NBA studio analyst on Turner Broadcasting for the last five years since he retired from pro basketball.
O'Neal was acquired by the Heat from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004 and promised South Florida an NBA championship when he arrived. He played with Heat for four seasons and helped their franchise capture their first NBA championship in 2005-06.
He started his pro career with the Orlando Magic and brought them as Eastern Conference title in 1995. O'Neal joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1997 and led them to three consecutive NBA championships in 2000, 2001 in 2002. He played the last couple of years of his career with the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
O'Neal was acquired by the Heat from the Los Angeles Lakers in 2004 and promised South Florida an NBA championship when he arrived. He played with Heat for four seasons and helped their franchise capture their first NBA championship in 2005-06.
He started his pro career with the Orlando Magic and brought them as Eastern Conference title in 1995. O'Neal joined the Los Angeles Lakers in 1997 and led them to three consecutive NBA championships in 2000, 2001 in 2002. He played the last couple of years of his career with the Phoenix Suns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics.
Shaquille O'Neal Performs At WrestleMania 32
Former Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal appeared at WrestleMania 32 at AT&T Stadium on Sunday in Dallas, Texas. He made a surprise appearance as a competitor of the 3rd annual Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
He stood face-to-face with The Big Show and they both choke-slammed Kane. O'Neal eliminated the first person in the battle royal when he dropped Fandango. O'Neal was thrown over the top rope by a gang of wrestlers as the third competitor eliminated.
O'Neal had a connection with professional wrestling for over 20 years. He was part of the entourage of Hulk Hogan in July 1994 when he captured the WCW World Heavyweight Championhip from Ric Flair in Orlando. O'Neal has appeared in World Wrestling Entertainment on several episodes of Monday Night Raw for over a decade.
He stood face-to-face with The Big Show and they both choke-slammed Kane. O'Neal eliminated the first person in the battle royal when he dropped Fandango. O'Neal was thrown over the top rope by a gang of wrestlers as the third competitor eliminated.
O'Neal had a connection with professional wrestling for over 20 years. He was part of the entourage of Hulk Hogan in July 1994 when he captured the WCW World Heavyweight Championhip from Ric Flair in Orlando. O'Neal has appeared in World Wrestling Entertainment on several episodes of Monday Night Raw for over a decade.
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Panthers Come Back On Canadiens
The Florida Panthers came back from a three-goal deficit and defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 on Saturday night at BB&T Center. The Panthers set a franchise record with their 44th victory of the regular season. They had 43 wins during the 1999-2000 season. Both teams will meet again three days from today in Montreal
Montreal(36-37-6) was able to score first at 10:14 of the first period. Brian Campbell passed the puck behind Aaron Ekblad in his own defensive zone. Max Pacioretty recovered it on the left wing and passed it back to Joel Hanley on the left point. His slapshot was stopped in the slot area then Brendan Gallagher turned around and put a shot by Roberto Luongo for a 1-0 lead.
The Canadiens would score twice in a time span of 1:19 midway through the second period and extended their gap to 3-0. Paul Byron came in through the right circle on a two-on-one breakaway and put a lead pass to his left and David Desharnais redirected the puck in from the left of the crease at 10:10. The Habs added to their lead 12:19 as Lars Eller sent a pass from the left corner to the top of the crease and Torrey Mitchell scored from close range.
Florida(44-25-9) broke the shutout with 6:47 remaining in the second. Aleksander Barkov won a face-off in the right circle and Jonathan Huberdeau took it to behind the Montreal cage. He connected a pass to Barkov at the left-circle dot and he blasted a one-time slapshot past Mike Condon for his 25th goal of the campaign.
The Panthers closed out the second period on a strong note as they pulled to within one goal 3-2 with 33.6 seconds left. Barkov knocked the puck from a mad scramble in the low slot back to Ekblad above the right circle. His soft shot went to Jaromir Jagr in the slot area and he scored on a wrist shot for his 26th tally of the season and 748th goal of his NHL career.
In the third period, the Cats made the best of their second power-play opportunity and converted it at 12:17. Nick Bjugstad skated it through the left circle to the goal line. He backhanded the puck to Huberdeau in the low right circle and he fired home a high snap shot to tie the contest 3-3.
Florida completed their amazing comeback with 28.1 seconds to go. Ekblad shot the puck from the top right circle and it was deflected in from the low slot by Barkov for his second goal of the game.
Montreal(36-37-6) was able to score first at 10:14 of the first period. Brian Campbell passed the puck behind Aaron Ekblad in his own defensive zone. Max Pacioretty recovered it on the left wing and passed it back to Joel Hanley on the left point. His slapshot was stopped in the slot area then Brendan Gallagher turned around and put a shot by Roberto Luongo for a 1-0 lead.
The Canadiens would score twice in a time span of 1:19 midway through the second period and extended their gap to 3-0. Paul Byron came in through the right circle on a two-on-one breakaway and put a lead pass to his left and David Desharnais redirected the puck in from the left of the crease at 10:10. The Habs added to their lead 12:19 as Lars Eller sent a pass from the left corner to the top of the crease and Torrey Mitchell scored from close range.
Florida(44-25-9) broke the shutout with 6:47 remaining in the second. Aleksander Barkov won a face-off in the right circle and Jonathan Huberdeau took it to behind the Montreal cage. He connected a pass to Barkov at the left-circle dot and he blasted a one-time slapshot past Mike Condon for his 25th goal of the campaign.
The Panthers closed out the second period on a strong note as they pulled to within one goal 3-2 with 33.6 seconds left. Barkov knocked the puck from a mad scramble in the low slot back to Ekblad above the right circle. His soft shot went to Jaromir Jagr in the slot area and he scored on a wrist shot for his 26th tally of the season and 748th goal of his NHL career.
In the third period, the Cats made the best of their second power-play opportunity and converted it at 12:17. Nick Bjugstad skated it through the left circle to the goal line. He backhanded the puck to Huberdeau in the low right circle and he fired home a high snap shot to tie the contest 3-3.
Florida completed their amazing comeback with 28.1 seconds to go. Ekblad shot the puck from the top right circle and it was deflected in from the low slot by Barkov for his second goal of the game.
Marlins Finish Off Yankees
The Miami Marlins finished their spring training schedule with a 2-1 victory over the New York Yankees at Marlins Park on Saturday. It was the second game of a two-game set between both clubs prior to the regular season. Both teams combined with seven hits as New York had four and Miami got three.
New York got out to the early lead for the second consecutive game on a solo home run. Dustin McGowan got the start for Miami and gave up a homer on the first pitch of the game to Yankees lead-off hitter Jacoby Ellsbury which landed in the right-field stands.
Miami answered back quickly in the bottom of the first to tie it 1-1 against Luis Severino. Dee Gordon began with a base hit into right field and Marcell Ozuna followed with a walk. Both runners advanced one base when Christian Yelich grounded out to first. Giancarlo Stanton would drive in Gordon with a sacrifice fly to left field.
The Marlins took the eventual lead during the third inning. Ozuna reached second with one out on a throwing error and moved to third when Yelich flew out to center. Stanton knocked in his second run of the game with a base hit into center field.
New York got out to the early lead for the second consecutive game on a solo home run. Dustin McGowan got the start for Miami and gave up a homer on the first pitch of the game to Yankees lead-off hitter Jacoby Ellsbury which landed in the right-field stands.
Miami answered back quickly in the bottom of the first to tie it 1-1 against Luis Severino. Dee Gordon began with a base hit into right field and Marcell Ozuna followed with a walk. Both runners advanced one base when Christian Yelich grounded out to first. Giancarlo Stanton would drive in Gordon with a sacrifice fly to left field.
The Marlins took the eventual lead during the third inning. Ozuna reached second with one out on a throwing error and moved to third when Yelich flew out to center. Stanton knocked in his second run of the game with a base hit into center field.
Yankees Overcome Marlins
The New York Yankees compiled just three hits as they pulled off a 3-2 comeback victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday night at Marlins Park. It was the first game of a two-game set to complete spring training for both clubs prior to the regular season.
The Yankees struck first during the fourth inning as Brett Gardner hit a lead-off home run on a 0-1 pitch down the right-field line against Jose Fernandez for a 1-0 lead. Fernandez, who is penciled in as the Marlins opening day starting pitcher, gave up one run on two hits and struck out seven in four innings of work.
Miami evened the contest up at 1-1 in the sixth inning against former teammate Nathan Eovaldi. Giancarlo Stanton began with a single to center field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt to the left side by Justin Bour. Martin Prado followed with an infield base hit to the right side and Stanton went to third. J.T. Realmuto then knocked in Stanton with a single into shallow center field.
Eovaldi pitched 5 1/3 innings and surrendered one run on seven hits.
A.J. Ramos entered the game in the ninth inning, however New York came back with a two-run frame to regain the lead 3-2. Aaron Hicks started the rally and got on base with a walk. Lane Adams then pinched-hit for Alex Rodriguez and blasted a two-run homer to left field on the first pitch.
The Yankees struck first during the fourth inning as Brett Gardner hit a lead-off home run on a 0-1 pitch down the right-field line against Jose Fernandez for a 1-0 lead. Fernandez, who is penciled in as the Marlins opening day starting pitcher, gave up one run on two hits and struck out seven in four innings of work.
Miami evened the contest up at 1-1 in the sixth inning against former teammate Nathan Eovaldi. Giancarlo Stanton began with a single to center field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt to the left side by Justin Bour. Martin Prado followed with an infield base hit to the right side and Stanton went to third. J.T. Realmuto then knocked in Stanton with a single into shallow center field.
Eovaldi pitched 5 1/3 innings and surrendered one run on seven hits.
A.J. Ramos entered the game in the ninth inning, however New York came back with a two-run frame to regain the lead 3-2. Aaron Hicks started the rally and got on base with a walk. Lane Adams then pinched-hit for Alex Rodriguez and blasted a two-run homer to left field on the first pitch.
Joey Bosa On Athlon Sports Cover
Former local high school player Joey Bosa appears on the magazine cover of Athlon Sports for the upcoming NFL Draft. He also appeared in early March on the magazine cover of two NFL Draft editions which included Pro Football Weekly and Lindy's Sports.
Bosa played high school football with the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders and helped them capture two FHSAA Class 7A state titles in 2010 and 2012. He then attended Ohio State University for three years and brought a national championship to the school in 2014 as a defensive end.
Bosa played high school football with the St. Thomas Aquinas Raiders and helped them capture two FHSAA Class 7A state titles in 2010 and 2012. He then attended Ohio State University for three years and brought a national championship to the school in 2014 as a defensive end.
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