Matt Ross: Cats vs Lightning: Cats Seek Revenge (Game 3 of Series)

My memories of the Panthers are Paul Laus and Rudy Poeschek beating the hell out of each other from one end of the ice to the other and then back to center ice.

It was a preseason game in the mid to late 90's at the Thunderdome in St. Pete (when the Bolts still played there). Laus and Poeschek squared off in a main event. Both of those dudes were not to be trifled with back in the day. They started swinging and the refs back off - way off. They beat on each other as they slowly moved from one end of the ice to the other. And not some huggy-dance with no punches landed either - these guys were connecting with some heavy shots that would bring down a lesser pugilist. The refs were afraid(?) to get involved and just let it go on. One or both of them fell at one point and got back up to fight some more. Finally, after fighting the entire length of the ice, they ran out of gas back at center ice and got sent to the box. Longest and most brutal fight I have ever seen at a hockey game. Both were bloody messes.

There were six other fights in that same game. Funny thing is, I don't even remember who won the game. It was like a boxing tournament.

These teams really hated each other then and the Panthers got the better of it on the score sheet, more often than not. They had the original "Rat" Mellanby, Beezer in net, and Jovo Cop patrolling the blue line.

Good times.

My memories of the Panthers are Paul Laus and Rudy Poeschek beating the hell out of each other from one end of the ice to the other and then back to center ice.

It was a preseason game in the mid to late 90's at the Thunderdome in St. Pete (when the Bolts still played there). Laus and Poeschek squared off in a main event. Both of those dudes were not to be trifled with back in the day. They started swinging and the refs back off - way off. They beat on each other as they slowly moved from one end of the ice to the other. And not some huggy-dance with no punches landed either - these guys were connecting with some heavy shots that would bring down a lesser pugilist. The refs were afraid(?) to get involved and just let it go on. One or both of them fell at one point and got back up to fight some more. Finally, after fighting the entire length of the ice, they ran out of gas back at center ice and got sent to the box. Longest and most brutal fight I have ever seen at a hockey game. Both were bloody messes.

There were six other fights in that same game. Funny thing is, I don't even remember who won the game. It was like a boxing tournament.

These teams really hated each other then and the Panthers got the better of it on the score sheet, more often than not. They had the original "Rat" Mellanby, Beezer in net, and Jovo Cop patrolling the blue line.

Good times.
- GalacticStone

Laus

Great story and thanks for sharing! I can picture that game with all the fights - especially in the Wild West of the ‘90s between two rivals.

This season certainly has the potential to reignite that rivalry, which would be great for both teams, but especially the league - which seems to be lacking those really great heat. Hoping the Hawks and Wings back together in the Central will ignite theirs.

Acciari is out for the road trip, at least. That sucks for FL.
All the more reason for the Panthers to stay out of the penalty box.

Make sure you all chime in during the game so im not just making smartass remarks to myself haha. Go cats. Stamkos back thats not going to help. No penalties tonight boys

Oh my god boys... good coverage its not like its stamkos standing there...

Who has the bright idea of yandle skating to centre and dropping it back???? Hes god damn terrible at it

There you go, Tippett!

Whoa was that duclair??? I dont believe my eyes

Unreal wrap-around by Duclair!

There it is, Shynes. Duclair for one for you. Haha.

It was only a matter of time. Guy has been generating some great chances.

Unbelievable, but believable.

Hope Gudas is back for the third

Hope Gudas is back for the third
- Ratsreign

Yea. Did they say what happened? Big Rand and Goldy didn’t seem to know either.

Sigh why cant i have a nice relaxing 3rd period

Sigh why cant i have a nice relaxing 3rd period
- Shynes57

Haha.

Oooooh i think gudas is a good sport there for not tearing gourde apart. I think gourde immediately regretted is decision

That was fun to watch

Q stop playing musical chairs with the #6 dman. Julsen benched after the 1st period. Pick someone already

Thats the leafs we know and love... not to pressure poor duclair but daddy is up to 6 goals and also lucic has 4....

Q stop playing musical chairs with the #6 dman. Julsen benched after the 1st period. Pick someone already
- harveykline

Juulsen gave the puck away a few times early in the game and Q stuck him to the bench. I imagine nutivaara will be back in Wednesday vs the Canes. Forsling supposedly will be back from injury soon, he looked pretty good in the few games he’s played.

Oooooh i think gudas is a good sport there for not tearing gourde apart. I think gourde immediately regretted is decision
- Shynes57

Loving what Gudas brings to this team.
See the bonus takeaway from the linked 5 takeaways from the game, stopping on the train tracks is a bad idea.
https://www.nhl.com/panth...-at-tampa-bay/c-321447298

I miss Gudas. Fear the beard!