Kreps Nets First as Cats Beat Thrash

Atlanta, GA -- Kamil Kreps scored his first career NsHL goal as the Florida Panthers defeated the Atlanta Thrashers 4-1 last night at Phillips Arena.

Florida dominated much of play outshooting the Thrashers 43-24. Thrashers goaler Evgeni Nabokov was valiant in the loss. His counterpart, Brian Boucher took just his second win on the season stopping 23 of 24 shots.

Jay Bouwmeester was a huge factor all night long for the Panthers. Bouwmeester scored the games first goal and then assisted on the other three to finish off as the game first star.

Kreps historic goal came at 13.55 of the first period. Kreps took a pass from Justin Williams and fired a shot through the legs of the Atlanta keeper. "It feels really good," said Kreps. "The coaching staff thought i could help the team. I've had some chances, tonight it shows how important it is to get pucks through to the net. I just have to keep shooting and hope more go in."

And what happened to the puck. "Justin made sure the puck got to our bench," a happy Kreps added. "It's a nice feeling, but tomorrow we play again so you kind of need to forget it for now and keep playing."

Nathan Horton scored his 8th and Williams added one of his own late in the third. Derek Roy scored for the Thrashers as they fell to fifth place in the Southeast Division.

A terrible incident occurred in the game during the second period. Thrashers defender Kevin Bieksa was ejected from the game at the start of the second frame. Bieksa received a major and a game misconduct for being a poo-head. Watch for the NsHL league brass to review the incident and come down hard on more players for being poo-heads. Apparently several GM's in the Eastern Conference encourage their players in this regard and it would be smart to stop this behaviour now.

Panthers Name Captain

Florida -- Peter DeBoer the Florida Panthers head coach announced the club has named Ed Jovanovski as it's captain. Joining Jovanovski as assistant captains will be forwards Evgeni Malkin and Justin Williams.

"Ed was the best choice for our team," said DeBoer. "His leadership and experience are invaluable. He is a natural leader and works like a coach to the younger players in the room."

Jovanovski is playing his 7th season in the NsHL and has averaged 32 points per season. Ed has been a +82 over the course of his career and logged 654 penalty minutes. Jovanovski is playing his third season with Florida after signing as a free agent on October 15, 2007.

Many view newly appointed assistant captain, Evgeni Malkin as the club's future captain. He is the face of the franchise and it's best player. Malkin won the Wayne Gretzky Trophy in '09 and the Teemu Selanne Trophy in '08.

Justin Williams is easily one of the most popular players on the club and now will wear a letter on his jersey. All three leaders were acquired by current Panthers GM IronMike. They were brought in to make a difference and to take the organization to higher levels. This announcement is another step in that direction.

DeBoer and Deboys Finding their Stride

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - When the flurry of coaching changes settled down earlier this season the Florida Panthers were happy to announce the hiring of Pete DeBoer as their new bench boss. The transition from Junior coach to head man in the NsHL has been a rocky road.

"You're trying to get everything done, learning the personnel, going through everything for the first time in the NsHL. It was overwhelming," DeBoer said. "Now that the season is underway I feel much more comfortable in all of those areas."

DeBoer has been called a players' coach by some. “He's a guy who will be honest and fair to you. He's going to tell you the truth,” said Cats winger Justin Williams. “He has an open-door policy and in just a few games the players feel real comfortable playing for Pete.”

"I think the first 10 or 12 games will be a tough transition,” said Deboer. “Keenan was a strong coach and the players were used to his way. Once we establish some accountability and reward for playing time based on merit, I think they will respond."

DeBoer can be hard on his players something the team experienced first-hand after a recent three-game losing skid. But nothing compared to the volatility of Mike Keenan.

"I don't think I’ll change my game," DeBoer said. "An 82-game schedule is a grind and you must use different tactics and techniques. But, I can’t change what has worked for me in the past." So far that formula has worked just fine. Deboer is a two-time winner of OHL Coach of the Year award and coached the Kitchener Rangers to a Memorial Cup victory in 2003.