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Vokoun, Dvorak Carry Panthers

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 22, 2009

SUNRISE - Tomas Vokoun made 41 saves for the Panthers on Saturday night, but his most important might have been the one he didn't see.

Vokoun's leg stopped Patrice Bergeron's wraparound shot in the third period to keep the puck out of the net and preserve the Panthers' 2-0 victory over the Bruins.

"I didn't see it because I was facing the other way. I just knew that the guy would try and wrap it and I was just trying to at least put some part of my body in the way," Vokoun said. "Playing this game, you need, sometimes, really good fortune. That was definitely a lot of luck."

Play was briefly halted to review Vokoun's save. Had Bergeron's shot been ruled a goal, the game would have been tied at 1, and Radek Dvorak's second goal of the night would have been disallowed.

"That particular play, you think about the change in momentum if that's in," Panthers coach Pete DeBoer said. "Our goal's disallowed and they get a goal and it's 1-1. So obviously, that's a pivotal moment in the game. And he was outstanding tonight, nothing short of that. Gave us the chance to win and that's the type of goaltending we need down the stretch."

It was the sixth shutout of the season and second in three games for Vokoun. The Panthers have an NHL-high nine shutouts overall this season.

"We had 41 shots, but I don't think that was the true story," Boston goalie Tim Thomas said. "It wasn't that Vokoun was ravenous and we had open nets and he had open-net saves. I think they did a good job of keeping us out of the house."

Thomas made 27 saves for Boston, which is 13-3 against the Southeast Division this season.

Dvorak scored a short-handed goal on a breakaway at 1:44 in the third period to give Florida a 1-0 lead. His wrist shot from the right circle went into the top of the net. His second goal of the night came at 6:44 in the third. Dvorak took a pass from Gregory Campbell and beat Thomas with a shot from in front of the right circle.

"It's a great feeling, especially when you're winning," Dvorak said. "Any time you have a chance to help the team win a hockey game, it's great."

The Bruins wrap up a five-game road trip against the Lightning today.

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