Saturday, May 3, 2008

Some Panthers still playing

The IIHF World Championships kicked off yesterday, and several Florida Panthers are out representing their countries. David Booth and backup netminder Craig Anderson are skating for Team USA, defenseman Magnus Johansson is representing Sweden, Jay Bouwmeester is playing for Canada, Panthers' prospect Janis Sprukts (now with Finnish club Lukko Rauma) is on the ice for Lativa, and Olli Jokinen and Ville Peltonen are playing for Finland.

In Friday's matchup, Jay Bouwmeester saw plenty of ice time, as he skated alongside former Panther favorite, Ed Jovanoski on the top defensive pairing for Canada. (Canada won easily, 5-1, outshooting Slovenia 65-23.)

While this is hardly the type of meaningful hockey I'd like to see the Panthers playing in, it is nice to see some Cats, both young and old, being recognized and asked to represent their country. Plus, Canada, Sweden, Finland, and the U.S. should make up the final four in this tournament, so it will be fun to see the Florida teammates go up against each other. So just because the Stanley Cup playoffs don't hold any Floridian representatives, there is still hockey being played with Floridian ties.

Preliminary rounds continue through the 13th. The quarerfinals then take place May 14, followed by the semi's on the 16th, and the medal games played on the 17th and 18th. (For just $4.95, you can watch every game at http://www.wcsn.com/)


4:32 pm edit: Ville Peltonen assisted on Finland's first goal, and Olli Jokinen just scored on a rocket one-time slapshot for Finland to put them up 2-0 in their game against Germany. Way to go Olli!

Sunday edit: Panthers' defenseman Branislav Mezei is also playing for Team Slovakia, who defeated Norway 5-1 yesterday. Apologies to Brani for leaving him off the list.

5 comments:

Imber said...

Peltonen matching his career high in points with that assist. Heh, just kidding. But seriously, best of luck to everyone and go Cats!

FloridaPanthers4ever said...

Hopefull Peltonen will become a former Panther.

Booth had 6 shots in his first game!

btw, I would love to have Jovo back and playing on the top line with Bouwmeester for the PANTHERS! If not him, then Liles or Campbell!

FloridaPanthers4ever said...

anyone see Campbells goal last night? That was sickness! Go Sharks, I hope they come back and win it all!

Imber said...

The Sharks are my cup winners. One more loss and that pick is toast. I'd love a guy like that on defense, but let's remember who's running things.

FloridaPanthers4ever said...

well JM said he wanted a guy like Campbell aka puck moving dman!

I don't see that happening but one thing you can keep in mind! Brian Campbell and Gregory Campbell are good friends!