Florida Panthers fire interim coach Peter Horachek after team continues struggles

SUNRISE, Fla. - The Florida Panthers have parted ways with interim coach Peter Horachek.

Panthers general manager Dale Tallon made the announcement Tuesday, saying the dismissal was effective immediately. Horachek replaced Kevin Dineen as Panthers' coach on Nov. 8, and Florida went 26-36-4 under him.

Horachek had been the coach of Florida's AHL affiliate in San Antonio before being summoned to lead the Panthers.

Florida finished with the second-lowest point total in the NHL this season and missed the playoffs for the 12th time in 13 seasons. The Panthers last won a playoff series in 1996, the year they lost to Colorado in the Stanley Cup finals.