Posted on Sunday, 10.11.09
Florida Panthers' Shawn Matthias 'in the right spot' on Friday
BY GEORGE RICHARDS
grichards@MiamiHerald.com
The first time Shawn Matthias scored an NHL goal, it was a memorable moment. So, too, was his second goal.
His third? Not so much.
Matthias scored his first goal of the season in Friday's 7-2 loss at Carolina. At the time of Matthias' goal, the Panthers trailed 4-0 and the game's eventual result a foregone conclusion. But Matthias isn't about to give that goal back -- not after how long it has taken him to get there.
``It's nice to get it -- I was in the right spot at the right time,'' Matthias said after the game. ``I would be lying if I said I didn't like to score goals. I just wish it came in a game we were up.''
The last time Matthias scored seems longer ago than it was. He scored two goals Jan. 19, 2008, just a day after his NHL debut. At the time, Matthias was a prized prospect within the system after the Panthers acquired him from Detroit for Todd Bertuzzi at the trade deadline the previous season. On the night Matthias scored, he was a fresh-faced kid the Panthers called up from his amateur junior team on an emergency basis.
The Panthers promptly put Matthias, 20, on the top line, moving center and captain Olli Jokinen over to the wing. In his second NHL game, Matthias scored twice. Florida lost 5-3 to the host Capitals.
Based on his three-game tryout in 2007-08, it was almost assumed that Matthias would make the team the following fall as a rookie. Instead, Matthias came into camp out of shape and looking out of place. He was one of the final cuts of camp, and was sent to the minor-league team in Rochester, N.Y. It was a tough season for Matthias, one in which he was pulled back and forth between Rochester and Sunrise. He played in 16 games with the Panthers last season but never found a home.
``I think as a whole I feel better out there,'' he said. ``I feel like I'm getting used to the timing.''
COMING AND GOING
The Panthers sent backup goalie Alexander Salak back to Rochester on Saturday, just hours after the 22-year-old made his NHL debut at Carolina. Florida recalled defenseman Jason Garrison. Salak was expendable with Scott Clemmensen returning from a family matter in Iowa. Clemmensen left the team after Monday's practice in Coral Springs.
Bryan Allen, a minus-5 in Friday's loss, was scratched because of a precautionary reason, coach Pete DeBoer said.
THE COMMISH
Commissioner Gary Bettman was in attendance Saturday and was treated to the team's opening-night festivities. Bettman was late to his meeting with the South Florida media because security wouldn't let him into the private parking area.
Bettman said not to expect a change to the league's tiebreaker system anytime soon. Florida tied for the eighth playoff spot last season with Montreal but lost out on the head-to-head tiebreaker.
``I think it works,'' said Bettman, noting that the Panthers had ample opportunities to overtake the Canadiens down the stretch.
``Our game is much more physical [than baseball]. I don't think anything else would work.''
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