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Prospect Showcase, Game 2: Florida Panthers 8, Nashville Predators 5

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Florida Panthers forward Serron Noel (18) is congratulated by defenseman John Ludvig (53) after scoring a goal in the first period against the Nashville Predators Sunday morning. // @GeorgeRichards

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — After being shutout for the first 59 minutes a day before, the Florida Panthers went on an offensive tear Sunday, scoring five goals in the opening period of their Prospect Showcase against the Nashville Predators.



Logan Hutsko and Serron Noel fueled Sunday’s 8-5 win as they scored two goals apiece.

Hutsko, who grew up in the Tampa area, scored twice in the first period as Florida went to the break holding a 5-2 lead.

The Panthers, who lost 3-1 to Carolina in the Showcase opener, will practice on Monday before playing the host Lightning Tuesday at 1 p.m.

The Panthers will report to training camp on Wednesday with the first on-ice practice Thursday.

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Hutsko opened the scoring Sunday 1:07 into the game as he scored from the front of the net off a pass from Frederic Brunet.

Tied at 1, Grigori Denisenko — who will be in a battle for a roster spot in camp over the next few weeks — gave Florida the lead back with a nice snapshot off a power play chance.

The score was quickly knotted again, but the Panthers then picked up three unanswered goals in the final five minutes of the period.

First, Serron (who has looked sharp so far) scored off a pass from Denisenko.

Hutsko then got his second of the day off a nice pass from Justin Nachbaur at 15:27 of the first with Eric Alarie making it 5-2 off a pass from Simon Pinard.

After the Preds got a couple early goals to open the second period, Noel got Florida back on track with his second of the morning off a nice pass from Henry Bowlby.

Florida extended its lead and made it 7-4 in the third with Nachbaur driving and scoring 2:35 in.

Bowlby then got in on the scoring act, crashing the net and knocking one through at 9:36.

On Saturday, the Panthers gave Spencer Knight the net for the entirety of the day.

Sunday, Florida’s two camp invitees split the game up with Tye Austin getting the first half (four goals allowed) and Olivier Adam (one) the second.

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