For a team coming off a 5 day lay off, it wasn’t the worst possible result for the Panthers last night, but it certainly could have been better. After falling behind 2-0 on quick goals in the 1st period, the Panthers got two quick goals of their own in the 2nd period to tie the game at 2-2. Following a scoreless 3rd period and overtime, the Panthers allowed the only goal in the shoot out to lose 3-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Panthers outshot the Flyers 15-12 in the 1st period and 13-3 in the 2nd period, but after two goals in 1:56 midway through the 1st period, the Panthers found themselves down 2-0 at the break. In the 2nd the Panthers dominated play and would get two goals in 2:51. Jay Bouwmeester scored on a Florida powerplay to make it a 2-1 game. A few minutes later Bryan McCabe would score on another powerplay to tie the game at 2-2.

The 3rd was a tight affair with few shots on goal from either team, and no goals. The Flyers dominated overtime in terms of shots, 4 to 1, but no one could find the back of the net. The shootout was not kind to the Panthers whose shooters went miss, save, and save. The Flyers final shooter scored to give the Flyers the victory.

The Panthers pick up a point from the game, but continued their poor performances following long lay offs in the schedule. The Panthers will be busy over the course of the next 5 days, but will again find themselves with a long lay off after this busy stretch. On a plus note, Ville Peltonen was able to play 17 minutes despite having a broken bone in his left foot. Next up for the Panthers, a trip to Tampa Bay tonight to face the Lightning.