The Florida Panthers beat the Calgary Flames 3-0 Thursday night as they launched a major offensive right from the start and did not allow the Flames to rebound.
Radek Dvorak was the star player of the game as he scored two goals in the first period that effectively put an end to whatever offensive plans the Flames had. Tomas Vokoun was also at hand to steer his team to victory by making 27 saves, which also makes him one of the best players against the Flames if past records are combined.
The Panthers have lost the previous two games of the season and were thus badly in need of a victory, which came rather easily this time. Dvorak materialized an opportunity when he picked up a rebound and ensured that the puck was in his control until he safely deposited it in the goal post with just 4:20 into the first period.
He scored the second goal at 7:25 by capitalizing on a drop pass from Marty Reasoner and turned it into a slap shot from above the right circle that went past the Flames' defense and earned the team a goal point.
Shawn Mattias clinched victory for his team by scoring the third goal, which was also his first of this season, at 9:57 of the third period by completing a give-and-go with Rostislav Olesz and safely taking the puck into the nets.
Vokoun completed his 39th career shutout by blocking 17 shots in the third period. His current statistics are 13-4-4 with a 1.88 goals-against average against the Flames in his career.
