The Florida Panthers put up a strong offensive but failed to clinch victory as they lost to the Vancouver Canucks 2-1 Monday night.
The game was played at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver and the Canucks made full use of the home field and cheering crowds. The Panthers did not have a patchy start, as expected by some, as they went on a strong offensive right from the first whistle.
They, however, failed to score despite many attempts and it was Daniel Sedin of the Canucks who scored at 12:39 on a rebound by Tomas Vokoun, right at his feet. The goal crashed the Panthers' hopes of scoring it big but they continued attacking the Canucks' defense line.
Success came for the Panthers when Rostislav Olesz scored late in the second period by hitting from the left boards in what appeared to be a pass to his teammate Mike Santorelli who was scrambling in the net area. Santorelli missed the puck but struck Vancouver's Alex Elder and Luongo was unable to catch it.
Sedin scored the match winning goal with 5:08 remaining in the game when he pushed in a loose puck past a tipped over Tomas Vokoun; Sedin had 27 shifts in the game.
Panthers are 0-2-0 this season although they defeated Edmonton on Sunday and put up a good show against the Canucks. They out shot the Canucks in the Monday game as they had 42 shots to Vancouver's 35. The Panthers have an unlucky record in Vancouver as their last win came in the inaugural season of 1993-94.
