The Florida Panthers beat the Calgary Flames 6-5 on Friday in a wild game that was decided by a late score from Tomas Fleischmann.
The goal from the 30-year old Fleischmann was his fifth of the season and came at the 16:51 mark of the third period. Dave Bolland and Sean Bergenheim assisted on the score which gave Florida its 19th win of the season.
With 47 points, the Panthers are currently in ninth place in the conference standings. Only one point separates them from the Boston Bruins who currently sit in eighth. This was also Florida's second win in a row as part of a six-game road trip. The Panthers are 3-1-0 on the trip with two contests to go.
Before Fleischmann's heroics, the Panthers scored five other times. The first goal came early into the first period when Jonathan Huberdeau put one home. The goal was the seventh of the season for Huberdeau and it was assisted on by Brad Boyes.
After helping on the first score, Boyes added a goal of his own later in the first period. Jonathan Huberdeau picked up the assist on what was the eighth goal of the season for Boyes.
Continuing the trend of an early goal, Bergenheim scored after only 2:46 went by in the second period, The sixth goal of the season for Bergenheim was assisted on by Fleischmann and Dave Bolland.
The Flames were scoring at the same rate as the Panthers which meant that Jimmy Hayes' goal late into the second period only tied the game up. The fourth goal of the game for Florida was the 12th of the year for Hayes. Jussi Jokinen and Erik Gudbranson were credited with the assists.
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Brian Campbell did not need any help to put Florida up 5-4 at the 9:29 mark of the third period. His unassisted goal was his second of the season and his first in nearly a month. Calgary would tie the game later in the period before Fleischmann picked up his game-winning score.
Al Montoya only was able to stop 25 of the 30 shots sent his way. It was the second game of a back-to-back so Florida took the opportunity to rest Roberto Luongo. The veteran goalie is expected back in the net for the next game.
Florida will take on the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday at 7:00 p.m.
