Panthers grab 2nd straight shutout
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 4, 2009 | 11:36 PM ET
The Associated Press
Florida goalie Tomas Vokoun simply wouldn't let the Carolina Hurricanes end their losing streak.
Vokoun made 32 saves, including 21 in the first period, for his second straight shutout, and the Panthers extended Carolina's winless streak to 10 games with a 3-0 victory Wednesday night.
"Tomas allowed us to survive the first period," Florida coach Pete DeBoer said.
"It wasn't exactly the way we drew it up. We knew we were facing a desperate team. Carolina was very good right off the bat."
Vokoun, who beat St. Louis 4-0 on Saturday, got a measure of revenge against the Hurricanes.
On Oct. 9 in a 7-2 loss at Carolina, he was pulled early in the third period after giving up five goals on 26 shots.
That was the last time the Hurricanes won a game.
"We were a little bit sluggish out of the gate but we survived it and took the game over from the second period and I think we outplayed them," Vokoun said.
Steven Reinprecht broke a scoreless tie at 5:09 of the third period and also had an assist. Cory Stillman added a power-play goal and an assist and defenceman Bryan Allen scored an empty-net goal with 2:01 left.
Cam Ward stopped 22 shots for Carolina, 0-6-2 in the road.
"I thought we played well," Ward said. "Obviously, it's no secret we're having a tough time. It's not easy when you're on a losing streak, but you've got to take the positives away from tonight."
The Panthers have won three straight after opening 2-7-1.
"I'm glad we're on the other end of it now," DeBoer said.
"They're a better team than their record indicates and they're playing better than their record indicates.
"We found a way to get a win tonight. It wasn't picture perfect, but it was a good two points."
