EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -- Ryan Smyth's power-play goal at 4:24 of
the third proved snapped a tie and carried the Edmonton Oilers to a
2-1 exhibition win over the Florida Panthers on Monday night.
Bertuzzi leaves game early
While Dwayne Roloson made a strong return Monday night, Todd Bertuzzi had a tougher night.
The veteran forward suffered bruised ribs after taking a hit in the second period. Bertuzzi did not play in the third and he will be re-evaluated Tuesday.
Bertuzzi was not available for comment after the game. -- ESPN.com news services
In their first home appearance since a Game 6 win over the
Carolina Hurricanes in the Stanley Cup finals, the Oilers took
advantage of a two-man power play when Shawn Horcoff dished the
puck to Smyth for an easy tap in past Panthers backup goalie Craig
Anderson.
The Western Conference champion Oilers improved to 2-0 in the
preseason while the Panthers fell to 0-2 on their Alberta road
trip.
The Oilers scored first when a pair of highly touted prospects
connected on the power play. Rob Schremp found defenseman Tom
Gilbert at the point for a shot past new Panthers starter Alex
Auld.
Florida tied late in the first period with a power-play goal.
Panthers defenseman Martin Lojek beat goalie Dwayne Roloson, who
made his first start since sustaining a season-ending knee injury
in Game 1 of the finals.
Roloson didn't show any ill effects from his offseason knee
operation. Early in the second period, the 36-year-old goalie was
sharp in holding off the Panthers during a full two-minute, two-man
advantage.
He made 15 saves on 16 shots before being replaced by Jussi
Markkanen halfway through the game.
Markkanen also made big saves in the third period to preserve
the win as Florida had another long two-man advantage, their fifth
of the night.
