Panthers surprise Philippe Desrosiers with reward for taxi stand

When Philippe Desrosiers arrived at BB&T Center Monday morning, he spotted Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito and Roberto Luongo talking.

Knowing that the Panthers now have five goalies on the team, including himself, Desrosiers quickly surmised his time with the Panthers was coming to an end.

“I thought I was getting sent down,” he said.

Desrosiers wasn’t going anywhere but to the ice.

The Panthers started rookie Spencer Knight Monday night against the Stars, but Desrosiers suited up for his first NHL game as Knight’s backup.

Goalie coach Robb Tallas gave him the news.

“He told me I had been good all year but unfortunately we had too many goalies so we’re going to send you … to the bench tonight,” Desrosiers recalled Monday.

“I was like, ‘Oh, thank God.’ I was so nervous for a bit.”

Said Joel Quenneville: “I think he was almost in tears, really. It meant a lot to him. He was thrilled to death. Tallas had the best delivery I have ever seen.”