The Caps’ second game of the South Florida Tournament featured 6 fewer goals, but the result was much the same. The Caps lost 5-2 to the Panthers’ rookies – the Caps’ second straight loss of the tournament.
The Capitals first goal came a few minutes in by Travis Boyd as reported by Washington Post’s Isabelle Khurshudyan (the stream did not turn on until after Boyd’s goal occurred).
Travis Boyd continues to impress. Scores to put Caps up, 1-0. Florida answers on very next shift. Game tied.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) September 18, 2016
The goal would mark Boyd’s fourth point of the tournament in his fourth period of action. The Capitals would get their only other goal of the game on a Panthers’ power play in the second period. Zach Sanford ripped a shot in front of the net. The shorthanded goal would tie the game at two. It was Sanford’s third goal of the tournament.
Failed breakout results in a shorthanded @zachsanford21 goal! Game tied at 2 a piece. #SoFlaTourney pic.twitter.com/DEqbqBQXRY
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) September 18, 2016
Sanford has shown to be quite good around the net as all three of his goals have been from in tight. In the third period, Sanford, operating from what would be Marcus Johansson’s spot in the corner on the Caps power play, had a couple of nice power moves to the front of the net while on the man advantage. It further demonstrated Sanford’s accelerated skills near the cage.
The second period ended with fireworks as Jakub Vrana got in his first career fight with Panthers forward Jayce Hawryluk.
Per Isabelle Khurshudyan, defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler left the game after blocking a shot in the second period and did not return in the third. Siegenthaler played much better than he had the day before. The Caps’ other defenders appeared to get into the play a little bit better as well, including nice offensive zone play from Lucas Johansen, Madison Bowey and Connor Hobbs.
The Caps and Panthers had a friendly shootout at the end of the game. Defense prospect Tyler Lewington was the only Caps shooter to score (Travis Boyd, Dylan Margonari, and Garrett Pilon also had attempts).
The Caps’ final game of the rookie tournament will be played Tuesday, September 20 at 10 a.m. against the prospects of the Nashville Predators.
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