Anytime you can take eight of 10 points on the road, and erase a three-goal deficit in the third period of the trip’s final game, it’s an outstanding trip. That’s what the Panthers just did! The comeback in Columbus last night may be the best illustration of the confidence, the ‘it’ factor, the swagger, the moxie (Whatever you want to call it!)… that this ’20-21 edition of the Panthers has. After Ryan Lomberg scored his first NHL goal and pulled the Panthers back to within a pair in the third period, the Panthers body language looked like that of a team that was the in-charge. The Panthers, nearing the end of a long road trip, down multiple goals in the third period on the road pushed a structured, defense-first Columbus team back on its heels.
No lead in the modern NHL is safe; especially not a lead against these Florida Panthers. There’s a belief on the bench. Mackenzie Weegar told Jameson Olive and I on Territory Talk this week, “I want to play my very best every single night for Joel [Quenneville]… I want to win for him, and I want to win for the guys around me. That’s the kind of culture that [Coach Q] has put in front of us here. You win for everybody around you, and that’s what I want to do every single night.” This feeling, and this culture, is very noticeable each night.
Similar to last week’s mail bag intro, we have a few milestones to acknowledge! I mentioned Lomberg’s first NHL goal; what a time to get it! The goal ignited a comeback win, and eventually his hard work was going to pay off. For the record, I did call it on Territory Talk before the road trip that Lomberg and Mason Marchment would score their first NHL goals on this trip; huge congratulations to both of them! Congratulations are also in order for Keith Yandle. During this five-game trip, he surpassed the 1,000 game mark in the NHL; an amazing achievement.
Now, it’s time for your questions!
diehard panthers fan @JoshuaBenchimol
When did you get into Florida Panthers hockey and how old were you when you did your first call of hockey on radio? #DearDoug
I may not be a Florida native, but I’ve been following hockey as long as I can remember. Growing up in Michigan, the earliest memories in my life involve hearing Dave Strader and Mickey Redmond’s voices on Red Wings television broadcasts. Being a 90’s kid, I really got into every expansion team. From the very start, the Panthers were fun to follow. As we all know, the inaugural Panthers season was one of the best expansion seasons in NHL history, but from the perspective of someone who wasn’t local, Beezer caught everyone’s attention! Plus, I grew up in Detroit, and he was from the area, so rooting for Vanbiesbrouck and his team were natural to us. I remember following the whole ’95-96 playoff run and really pulling for the Panthers.
As for my first time doing hockey play-by-play on the radio: it would have been on the campus station at my school, Lake Forest College, during my sophomore year. That was my first season in the booth; I did color commentary, and my college buddy and current Dallas Stars pregame/intermission/postgame host on FOX Sports Southwest, Brien Rea, did the play-by-play. There was a game Brien couldn’t do, so I stepped in and did play-by-play. After that school year, Brien graduated, and I took over for him doing play-by-play for hockey and football for my junior and senior years. That’s where it all began!
Replying to @DougPlagens @FlaPanthers @560WQAM
What’s the best non-hockey sporting venues you’ve been to?
There are a few that come to mind, and I have to classify them in different categories. I’ve mentioned the annual baseball trip I take with my friend and voice of the AHL’s Tucson RoadRunners, Adrian Denny. Since 2011, Adrian and I have been to just about every Major League Baseball stadium. Dodger Stadium, Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City), and PNC Park (Pittsburgh) are my favorite active ballparks. Wrigley Field is up there, too. I was also fortunate enough to attend the final game at Tiger Stadium in Detroit on September 27th, 1999. As of today, Seattle and Houston are the only active MLB parks I have left to visit.
I haven’t been to nearly as many football stadiums, but the Pontiac Silverdome was a special place to anyone with roots in Michigan! The Big House in Ann Arbor is pretty cool, too. At some point, I’d like to go to an SEC football game; I really don’t care where, just as long as it’s a conference matchup.
Two of the loudest sports experiences I’ve ever had are basketball-related. Before I came to Florida, I worked in Cleveland as the broadcaster for the then-Lake Erie Monsters of the AHL and Arena Football League’s Cleveland Gladiators, both of which are owned by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Because of that, I had a chance to see a lot of Cavs games. On opening night ’14-15, the Cavs hosted the Knicks, and it was LeBron James’ first game back with the Cavs. I thought that was the loudest game I’d ever attended until I went to game one of the 2015 NBA Finals between the Cavs and Warriors at Oracle Arena in Oakland. That place was deafening; what an environment, and a cool old building with character!
Replying to @DougPlagens
Who are athletes from your childhood that made you feel old once they retired?
At this point, probably anyone who retires! The years just fly by, and I find that every hockey season goes by faster than the previous. At least it feels that way!
When I think back, I think the one that jumps out at me first is Steve Yzerman. He debuted before I was born, was the star player of my hometown team when I started following hockey, and was a key player into my college years. When he retired after the ’05-06 season, I was about to turn 21 years old, and something that had been a constant for my entire life – Steve Yzerman playing for the Red Wings – wasn’t going to be happening anymore! It really set in on January 2, 2007; I was home from college for Winter Break, and my mom and I went to Yzerman’s jersey retirement night at Joe Louis Arena. He’s one of the biggest reasons I grew to love hockey and sports in general, and when he retired, that took some getting used to!
#DearDoug @DougPlagens when on a road trip with the Panthers what are some of your favorite away cities to visit?
We don’t get a ton of down time on the road, but I should preface with this: I’ve always said that every city is an NHL city, and they all have something great to offer. I love Chicago and Las Vegas. I went to school in Chicago, and I’m just a big fan of visiting Las Vegas. Oddly enough, Vegas was my favorite trip when I was in the ECHL, and Chicago was my favorite trip when I was in the AHL! The California and Arizona trips are always nice too; great weather and In-N-Out Burger! I also love Detroit, Pittsburgh, Buffalo and Columbus; I just have a great appreciation for the Midwestern and Rust Belt cities!
That said, I can point to reasons why I enjoy every city in the league! I have go-to lunch spots in every city, and there’s something special about every arena. Plus, I just like to see the world!
Thanks everyone for the great questions! If you didn’t see yours, it may show up in a future edition!