Panthers Add Grit.

Ottawa, Ontario: As the Florida Panthers made their way off the ice after a thrilling 4-3 shootout victory over the Ottawa Senators, the team announced it had acquired hard hitting Tim Conboy from the Buffalo Sabres.

The deal confirmed today has the Southern Cats picking up depth and toughness on the blue-line for a 2013 draft pick. In Conboy, a Farmington Minnesota product, the Panthers get a 30 year-old banger who will be steady in the back and tough and intimidating along the walls and corners.

Currently at the quarter pole of the NsHL season, the Panthers sit 7th in the Eastern Conference. After a slow start they have hit their best stride thanks to tougher play and strong defensive hockey.

"We will bring Tim into our room and fit him into our defensive unit going forward," said Florida Coach Pete DeBoer. "He adds size, strength and toughness to our club."

The next three games on the schedule are in South Florida against playoff type teams in the Ducks, Preds and Bolts.

Panthers Relying on Star Power.

Sunrise, Florida: After the first dozen games of the new season the Southern Cats had managed just 5 wins. They were also sitting LAST in the NsHL with a puny 2.09 goals per game. Five games later everything has changed thanks to use of the Panthers Superstars.

Panthers Head Coach Peter DeBoer started this season using a balanced offensive attack which lacked ....... well ...... it lacked offense.

Prior to the Cats visit to Nashville DeBoer tinkered with his line-up in a huge way.

The Nashville game was the turning point, said DeBoer. We decided to roll out our top players on the same line.

The Panthers beat the home side 4-2 that night thanks to the play of Evengi Malkin, Nathan Horton and Ray Whitney.

Since the line was put together the team has gone 4-1 and in those five games the line has produced at a Superstar pace:

Malkin ... 1 goal // 6 assists // +5

Horton ... 4 goals // 4 assists // +7

Whitney .. 3 goals // 2 assists // +5

Florida has remained a tough team to score against allowing just three goals in its last three games (all wins). With the offense on overdrive it has allowed Management and fans to breathe a little easier.