Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad speaks to the media following Florida's 6-4 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Jan. 19 at Amerant Bank Arena. There was no Return of the Jedi ending for the Florida Panthers on Star Wars Night at Amerant Bank Arena. Instead, the Minnesota Wild Empire continued to strike back, taking down the Panthers by a final score of 6-4. On a night where there were quite a few penalties called, Minnesota would go bananas while on the power play. All five of the Wild’s goals came while on the man advantage, which tied a dubious Panthers record for most power play against in a game, one that dated all the way back to 2006. The game started with both teams playing incredibly physical and frisky, which led to more than a few calls by the officiating crew. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Let’s see if we can properly track the first period penalty-fest. It started when Will Lockwood checked Marc-Andre Fleury behind the Wild net, sending the goalie flailing to the ice and Zach Bogosian after Lockwood. After the players were released from the penalty box, Brandon Duhaime went looking for Lockwood and challenged him to a fight, which ended abruptly when Duhaime caught Lockwood in the chin, sending the young forward crumpling to the ice. Credit to Duhaime, who immediately went from fight-mode to concerned human-mode after seeing how he caught Lockwood. About a minute later, Marcus Foligno was called for boarding on Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and when Foligno came out of the box it was Jonah Gadjovich who went looking for him. Overall there were two fights and 32 penalty minutes called during the game’s opening 20 minutes. Minnesota scored the only goal, all the way back when Lockwood was in the box for hitting Fleury, and took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission. Florida briefly tied the game when Aaron Ekbald scored during the opening seconds of the middle frame, but a Wild power play that came off a Bobrovsky tripping call resulted in Ryan Hartman’s 14th goal of the season, putting the visitors back in front 2-1. Another two power play goals by the Wild, these coming from Brock Faber and Mats Zuccarello, pumped their lead to 4-1 just past the game’s midway point. A late period goal by Eetu Luostarinen drew the Panthers back within two of Minnesota heading into the final period, but another Kaprizov power play goal early in the third all but cemented the outcome. Or so we thought. Two quick tallies by Anton Lundell and Gus Forsling just 17 seconds apart suddenly brought the Panthers to within one goal of Minnesota, and there was still 11:38 left in the period to play. That would be as close as the Cats would get, but it sure made for an exciting ending inside a packed Amerant Bank Arena. On to Nashville. Here are some thoughts and observations from Friday’s tussle with the Wild: Friday was the first time Florida gave up more than two power play goals in a game since last March, and the first time they’ve given up four since all the way back in 2006. It’s also only the 12th time in Panthers history they surrendered four or more power play goals. Matthew Tkachuk picked up an assist, starting a new point streak after his nine-gamer was snapped Wednesday against Detroit. Ekblad’s goal was just his second of the season. He added three(!) assists though, and he’s now up to 13 points through 28 games. Speaking of Eetu, his eighth goal of the season was also his first since Dec. 21. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers host Minnesota looking to end homestand on high note [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-host-minnesota-looking-to-end-homestand-on-high-note] Checkers check-up: Outdoor game a success as Sourdif, Knight ride hot streaks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/checkers-check-up-outdoor-game-a-success-as-sourdif-knight-ride-hot-streaks] Three takeaways: Finding positives in another frustrating loss [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/features/three-takeaways-finding-positives-in-another-frustrating-loss] Panthers drop third straight, unable to hold leads against gritty Red Wings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-drop-third-straight-unable-to-hold-leads-against-gritty-red-wings] Sasha Barkov out against Detroit with lower-body injury believed to be 'short term' [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/sasha-barkov-out-against-detroit-with-lower-body-injury-believed-to-be-short-term] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
