Bjugstad scores first NHL goal for Florida Panthers

Apr 7, 2013; Sunrise, FL, USA; Florida Panthers center Nick Bjugstad (27) checks Ottawa Senators left wing Cory Conacher (89) into the boards in the second period at the BB

Ex-Gopher Nick Bjugstad, the Florida Panthers’ 19th overall pick in the 2010 NHL draft, scored his first professional goal on Saturday en route to a 5-3 win over the rival Tampa Bay Lightning.

Bjugstad scored Florida’s first goal 17 minutes into the first period which stopped a 2-0 scoring run by the Lightning.

The Panthers would score four more times to win their season finale. Florida’s final record of 15-27-6 was not enough to secure a playoff berth.

Bjugstad played 11 games for the Panthers after the Gophers lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The goal was his only point of the season.

The 20-year-old from Blaine, Bjugstad was on the ice for more than 14 minutes and took two shots in the game against the Lightning. He also made three hits but lost 12 face-offs.

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