from George Richards of the Miami Herald,

Barring a miracle, the Panthers’ season will end on April 27 in Tampa. As has been the case every spring since 2001 — save for last year and the lockout of 2005 — the Panthers will watch the playoffs and not participate in them.

“We’re trying to keep our competitive level extremely high,” said second-year coach Kevin Dineen, who led the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since 2000 last season.

“I think I said from Day 1 we wanted a healthy, quality environment. It’s no fun right now. We’re not having fun. But we’re still making strides trying to make this a place in which we get better no matter the situation.”

Even though the playoffs aren’t forthcoming for a team that has won two consecutive games just twice this year, that doesn’t mean the Panthers are giving up.

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