Posted September 7, 200519 yr CORAL SPRINGS ? Slowly they make their way back to town. Back to the rink. In front of empty bleachers and deserted concession stands Tuesday morning at Incredible Ice, a handful of Panthers began informal practices. Fifteen months since the Lightning hoisted the Stanley Cup in Tampa Bay -- several months since Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo competed in his first poker tournament in Las Vegas and center Chris Gratton took the year off to play golf -- the icemen, at least some of them, have returned to South Florida. "It's exciting," said goalie Roberto Luongo, who practiced Tuesday with a group of current and former Panthers. "You can finally look forward to something." And the seemingly endless wait for hockey -- in an NHL with rules that no longer suffocate speed and creativity -- really is right around the corner. Physicals next Tuesday and the first day of practice Wednesday. Only 11 days to the first preseason game and less than a month to the opener. The Panthers know there's work to be done. And while it sure would have been nice for General Manager Mike Keenan to bring in a big-time scorer, especially since there were more free agents this summer than ever before, the Panthers have hope. Begin with Luongo in goal. Throw in a more mature Nathan Horton and Bouwmeester, and add the leadership of veterans Gary Roberts, Sean Hill and Joe Nieuwendyk. Hey, let's be frank -- we've seen a lot worse in this town. Do I dare bring up Bryan Murray? "Obviously we'll be competing against the Marlins, we'll be competing against the Heat and the college teams," said Gratton, who began NHL play in Tampa in 1993 and owns a home in Bonita Springs. "But that's all the more reason for us to come out and try to get off to a quick start and make a splash and try to grab some headlines and get the fans involved. "Our goal from day one in camp will be to get off to a good start." Such a start might be possible in that the Panthers will have veterans like Roberts, Nieuwendyk, Hill and Martin Gelinas to lead and teach the young talent. Veteran leadership had been sorely lacking of late. "I think they've brought in some quality veteran guys with Gary and Joe and Marty and Sean," Gratton said. "They'll provide leadership, and you already have a solid young core of up-and-coming players. And when you have a world-class goaltender like Roberto, it makes for a good mix." Luongo, one of the few bright spots in years past, will still be asked to carry this team -- unless Keenan uses the room he has under the salary cap to bring in some scoring production. But at least there's some hope for a better beginning, for a playoff race that doesn't end in January or February. And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, the stands will fill and the icemen will attract a crowd. notable DATES Sept. 13: Team reports for physicals. Sept. 14-17: Practice begins at Incredible Ice (all practices open to the public). Sept: 18: First preseason game (at Carolina). Sept. 29: First home preseason game (against Carolina). Oct. 5: Season begins at home against Atlanta. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-jos...la-sports-front
September 7, 200519 yr Author I'm going to be there most of the days during the practices, definitely going to bring my digicam :thumbup . Also, the Panthers "Welcome Back" party for season ticket holders is September 15th, every season ticket holder is guaranteed at least 1 autograph.
September 7, 200519 yr That's awesome. I'd get season tickets if I lived closer. I do plan on attending a few games this year. Good to see the boys are back in town (esp. Louie). :thumbup
September 7, 200519 yr Author Just called Incredible Ice, Panthers will be practicing from 9am-1pm on the dates listed in the article.
September 8, 200519 yr I love this line: "Obviously we'll be competing against the Marlins, we'll be competing against the Heat and the college teams," said Gratton, who began NHL play in Tampa in 1993 and owns a home in Bonita Springs. :thumbup No mention of the Dolphins, even though their seasons seem to run more against each other...
September 8, 200519 yr i'll go see pittsburgh... maybe another game or two as well it's just so damn far
September 8, 200519 yr i'll go see pittsburgh... maybe another game or two as well it's just so damn far 934138[/snapback] Its 45 minutes from where I live in South Dade. It is really not that far.
September 8, 200519 yr i'll go see pittsburgh... maybe another game or two as well it's just so damn far 934138[/snapback] Its 45 minutes from where I live in South Dade. It is really not that far. 934145[/snapback] i took a trip to sawgrass the other day and it took over an hour If hockey were still here, it's not like I'd go to 30 games a year anyways, maybe 10-15
September 8, 200519 yr i'll go see pittsburgh... maybe another game or two as well it's just so damn far 934138[/snapback] Its 45 minutes from where I live in South Dade. It is really not that far. 934145[/snapback] i took a trip to sawgrass the other day and it took over an hour If hockey were still here, it's not like I'd go to 30 games a year anyways, maybe 10-15 934153[/snapback] By the time you would be going for hockey, it wouldn't matter much, the traffic, for the most part. 10-15 games is a good amount for someone who lives down south like me. I don't get to go as often because of school issues so 20 games is a lot for me. Usually, I will get about 12-18 games in a year.
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