George Richards, FHN Publisher
SUNRISE — In looking back at the Florida Panthers improbable comeback win against the Capitals on Tuesday night, one goal may be overlooked and that’s the one scored by Joe Thornton in the first period.
Sure, the third-period goals scored by Ryan Lomberg, Eetu Luostarinen, Sam Bennett and especially Sam Reinhart get all of the attention, but Thornton’s goal at least got the Panthers back in that game.
Florida was down 2-0 in the blink of an eye in the first period as the Capitals scored twice in a span of 11 seconds.
Less than a minute later, Thornton found a loose puck left on the doorstep off a shot from Aaron Ekblad and swept it home.
Being down 4-1 going into the third period as Florida was Tuesday night is a lot more palatable than being down 4-0.
That goal scored Tuesday night is not all Thornton has given the Panthers in his short time in Florida.
Not even close.
When it was announced that Thornton was joining the Panthers over the summer, the news came as a surprise.
Only Thornton said he had accepted Florida’s offer weeks before.
He liked what the Panthers were becoming as a team, saw Bill Zito’s vision and wanted to be a part of it.
The 42-year-old has yet to win the Stanley Cup. This has been well documented.
A player like Jumbo Joe chasing the Cup with the Panthers?
That raised some eyebrows.
If a guy of that renown thought Florida was a contender, well, perhaps they are.
“It was one of the best days of the summer,” captain Sasha Barkov said during training camp. “There’s so much stuff can you learn from him both on ice and off ice. It’s just like when Jagr came in a few years ago. I learned so much from him; how to play hockey, how to live a pro hockey life.
“I’m going to learn more from Jumbo. He’s been great so far. He’s a great guy, awesome teammate.”
Said MacKenzie Weegar: “I couldn’t wait to see what kind of guy he was. My cousin played with him in San Jose and asked him. All good things. He is a great leader in the room, he’s super loose and gives guys confidence. He also speaks to the refs and keeps everyone calm and motivated. A lot of guys are falling his lead.”
Thornton opened his 24th NHL season by playing in the first three games of the season. He then missed the next two and played in three more.
He was out for eight games due to an injury, but he was just as important off the ice as he was on it.
Thornton, now tied for 12th on the NHL’s all-time scoring list with his goal Tuesday, was someone whose leadership and experience was needed in the wake of Joel Quenneville’s sudden resignation.
”It’s by community,’’ Thornton said. “Q was a big part of this team and that came quick to us. But we all kind of pulled each other along and are still doing so. The coaching staff has been great and the players responded.”
Andrew Brunette was named interim coach and has been blessed with a couple of good leaders.
Thornton is definitely one of them.
“He has been around the game so long and understands the leadership role,” Brunette said. “Hey, everyone loves to be around Jumbo. They have a lot of fun with him. He is great for our group. .”
Last week, the team was hosted to a Thanksgiving dinner at Thornton’s new home in Fort Lauderdale.
According to Weegar, it was quite the spread and he gave all the credit to Thorton’s wife Tabea Pfendsack.
“She took care of the whole thing,” Weegar said. “Turkey, sweet potatoes, the whole deal. It was actually one of the best Thanksgiving dinners I have had in a long time.”
On the ice, Thornton’s production has dropped as one may expect but the Panthers still rely on him.
With Barkov out with an injury. Thornton’s role has increased and he got his second goal and fourth point of his season on Tuesday in his 12th game.
The Panthers don’t really want to push their 42-year-old center too much, but there will be time for rest when the team gets healthy again and some more players like Barkov, Anthony Duclair and Mason Marchment return in the coming games.
Thornton is here for the process, but he’s also here for the end game.
The Panthers need Thornton to be at his best at the end of the season.
After all, that’s why he is here in the first place.
“We feel good. We’re super, super deep and it doesn’t matter who is in the lineup. We feel we can win every night,’’ Thornton said. “That’s a good thing to have. The goaltending has been great and everyone who goes onto the ice is expected to do good things. We’re thankful for one another.”
As for joining the Panthers, Thornton says he is happy to be here.
“This team is built to be successful for years to come,” he said. “Great core, great complimentary players. There’s something great going on down here and I am lucky enough to be part of it. I’m digging it, absolutely.”