Rats Roundup: Back to Business

Good morning and welcome to Rats Roundup. Your Florida Panthers were back in action this week, hosting the St. Louis Blues at BB&T Center in a thrilling 5-2 victory on Thursday night. Now the Cats hit the road for two games in Pennsylvania on Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins and on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers.
With Panthers hockey back and the team rolling, it's time for you to sit back, relax and get your Friday off to a great start by catching up on the latest Cats news!

Making A Statement

The Panthers took on the undefeated Blues on Thursday defeating them by a score of 5-2. It was a milestone game for some Panthers players, as Roberto Luongo tied Curtis Joseph for 4th all-time in wins for a goaltender with 454 career victories.
Rookie defenseman Ian McCoshen also netted the first goal of his career, tying the game early in the 1st period.

McCoshen also became the first of many recipients of the 'Legacy' All-Blacks jersey and rugby ball, this year's team award for player of the game. The jersey and rugby ball are a tribute to Panthers head coach Bob Boughner's affinity for the New Zealand National Rugby Team's
culture of self-reliance and integrity, and his effort to instill similar values into the cultural makeup of the Panthers!

Click HERE for a full recap of the game.

Matheson Extended

The Panthers announced this week that defenseman Mike Matheson has been signed to an eight-year contract extension.

He has played in 88 career NHL games, all with Florida, and has led the club in even-strength ice time during that stretch!

Hitting the Road

The Cats will travel to Pittsburgh and Philadelphia for a two-game road trip. The Cats take on the Penguins Saturday, October 14th at 7 p.m. and the Flyers on Tuesday, October 17th at 7 p.m.

Bolstering the Front Line

This week, the Panthers announced that General (RET.) Raymond T. Odierno has been appointed Florida Panthers Chairman and Alternate Governor.
As Chairman of the Florida Panthers and Alternate Governor General Odierno will function as a senior consultant to ownership on hockey and business matters. General Odierno joins a senior Panthers leadership group that includes President and CEO Matthew Caldwell and President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Dale Tallon.
For the full release of Odierno's hiring, click
HERE
.

Touch of Grey

Calling all Dead Heads! The Panthers will be hosting their 3rd Grateful Dead Tribute Night on October 20th when they face off against the Penguins at BB&T Center. For full event information click HERE.
For all things Grateful Dead, visit
Dead.net
.

Trocheck's Sweet Tooth

The Florida Panthers in conjunction with IT'SUGAR announced that Florida Panthers Forward Vincent Trocheck launched Sweeties, a limited-edition collection of the star athletes' favorite candies. IT'SUGAR is releasing an exclusive variety to the new line as Vincent Trocheck's "Trochex Mix," with 20 percent of the sales benefiting the players' charity of choice.
Trocheck created a signature Sweeties mix, hand selecting each treat included in the "Trochex Mix." Vincent Trocheck's Sweeties "Trochex Mix" is filled with blue raspberry gummi rings, Sour Power Quattro® Doubles, wild cherry gummi bears and beary blue razz gummi bears, in the Florida Panthers signature team colors.

Sweeties are available exclusively at
www.itsugar.com
and will be introduced in select IT'SUGAR stores for $14.99 per 20 ounce box beginning next week. The "Trochex Mix" will be available at BB&T Center throughout the Florida Panthers 2017-18 season.

Quick Hitters

• The Springfield Thunderbirds video series "The Future" debuted its first episode yesterday. Click HERE to check it out!
  - During their home opener, the Panthers honored
  Hurricane Heroes of Hurricane Irma, individuals who stood out in the community in helping those during a time of need. 
  - Before the home opener the Florida Panthers announced the recipients of the $1 million dollar hurricane relief pledge made by Panthers ownership following Hurricane Irma.
  The four recipients of this pledge are Community Foundation of Florida Keys, Feeding South Florida, Salvation Army and UNICEF
  .

-
Tijuana Flats has kicked off their "Panthers Wednesdaze" now that the season is in full swing!