Panthers positive despite pre-season loss

Nathan Horton and Mike Duco scored as the Florida Panthers lost their pre-season game with Tappara in Finland on Monday. The Panthers, who play their first two NHL regular season games against Chicago on Friday and Saturday in Helsinki, were beaten in a shootout after a 2-2 tie. Ville Nieminen, who won the Stanley Cup winner with Colorado, was the only one of the six players to score in the shootout. "Their goalies played very well, they scored on a five on three and hung in there. It was fun and good for the fans, an exciting game", said Florida captain Bryan McCabe said. "We have another game (on an NHL-size rink tonight) which will be a good test, but our main focus is getting the four points from the Chicago Blackhawks, to make a big start to the year. We surely want to get off the right foot". Radek Smolenak and Patrick Kane each scored twice to lead the Chicago Blackhawks to a 9-2 win over Swiss Club HC Davos in a friendly on Monday. Evan Brophey, Troy Brouwer, Patrick Sharp, Duncan Keith and Brian Campbell also scored for the Blackhawks, while Jonathan Toews had two assists. sports@thenational.ae