Former Pens Goalie Tomas Vokoun Takes Ice As Part Of Unique Panthers Contest
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Former Penguins goaltender Tomas Vokoun was back on the ice today to take part in a special contest with the Florida Panthers.
Many NHL fans dream about the opportunity to be on the ice for just a day with their favorite players - myself included.
I have semi-seriously joked around for years about hopping in the net - even just for a few minutes - at a Penguins practice. (If anyone in the Penguins' organization is reading this, call me.)
Anyway, the Florida Panthers are making that happen as part of their "Goal of a Lifetime" contest.
One lucky fan will get to suit up as the backup goaltender for an upcoming Panthers practice.
Vokoun is serving as one of the on-ice coaches for the event.
A total of 68 goaltenders were invited to take part.
According to the Panthers' website, some are coming from as far away as Canada, Vermont and Massachusetts.
In fact, one of those 68 goaltenders is ESPN's Linda Cohn.
Good luck to all the participants today! I'll be dressed for success! @FlaPanthers @SportsCenter #goalofalifetime pic.twitter.com/E4k5JxgN5E
— Linda Cohn (@lindacohn) March 16, 2015
Two finalists will be selected today and will compete in a shootout during the first intermission of Tuesday's game against the Montreal Canadiens.
Former Panthers players will be the shooters in the intermission contest.
The goalie with the better performance will win the contest. In addition to being backup goalie for a practice, the winner will also receive two tickets to each remaining home game and a signed team jersey.
One of the signatures on that jersey will be former Penguin Jaromir Jagr, who was dealt to Florida ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline this year.