Florida Panthers

Let’s play 50 minutes part 2!

After the third game in a row where the Florida Panthers have given up a 2 goal lead in the third period only to eventually lose the game, we (I) have to start asking, is it mental? Is it because they are scared? Or is it that they just don’t know how to win, or what?!
It’s almost as if when they get to the third period with a 2 goal lead, you can virtually sense the chaos beginning. Can’t clear the puck away from the net, can’t make crisp passes out of the zone, line changes are sloppy, and no offensive pressure to speak of.

I know that they also have been cursed with some injuries and bad or I’ll call them “Phantom” penalties, but everyone goes through those problems. It’s just that good teams find a way to work it out. When looking at the standing the Panthers are now 6 points out of first place, 7 points out of the 8th spot, and it’s not getting any easier with back to back games coming against the Flyers and Rangers. Actually the Panthers are closer to being the worst team pointwise in the NHL then they are to getting a playoff spot.

A former coach of the Panthers who is still coaching in the NHL said once “Winning is Abnormal”! You have to be willing to do the things that others don’t. You have to be willing to sacrifice, and work hard. This coach also said that anyone can be average. But to be above average, now that’s special, and not everyone or every team has that capability. It is just unbelievable how this is happening to a team that really is or was very close to taking over the division lead, but just cannot hang on.

And of course once the Panthers start losing the Olli trade rumours surface again. That is an entirely different subject, but the owners and management better think very hard about this one. One of the worst teams in attendance, losing games that they could be winning, trading their most visible and dedicated player would probably be the worst thing that they could do.
But, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least. It has been said that no one is untouchable. My fear is that if he is traded, it would be for a bunch of prospects and or draft picks.

And then, the rebuilding project would be in full force again. Be patient Panther fans. Stay the course, we will get better. We are going to rebuild and make our way to the playoffs, and we will acquire players through the draft and sprinkle in a free agent or two, but it won’t happen overnight. You have to be patient with us. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Ok, ok, I have been hearing this since 2003. 5 years later it’s the same b.s., or it’s going to be the same b.s.. I am tired of waiting, I am tired of watching a team “choke” and not have the charachter that winning hockey teams have. If they were an awful team with no talent, then I might be able to handle it better. However I am not going to be one of those fans that is ok with a tie because we get a point, or be pleased with the effort even though we lost. This team has missed the playoffs 7 years in a row. Other teams are getting better while the Panthers are continuing to be mediocre.

By the way if any Panther sales associate is reading, I have not renewed my season tickets yet. I also will not renew by the March 15th deadline. I am going to wait. See now it’s your turn to be patient. I’ll take care of it. Don’t worry. You’ll get your money. I’ll probably renew. I can’t do it so quickly though. I have to go with my plan and stick with it and how you have been telling me: Stay the course.

How much longer do I have to put up with this?

Thanks for reading.