For Gostisbehere, a Florida homecoming

TAMPA, Fla. - For the first time in his young NHL career, Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere played a game in his home state of Florida on Friday night, facing the Lightning in Tampa.

But Gostisbehere's real homecoming will take place Saturday night in Sunrise, Fla., where he will play against the team he grew up idolizing, the Panthers.

Gostisbehere, one of the NHL's top rookies, grew up in Margate, Fla., about 10 minutes from the Panthers' arena, and he and his grandfather went to games with season tickets. He is considered the first player born and raised in South Florida to reach the NHL.

The player they call Ghost had 12 relatives and friends at Friday's game, including his parents and grandfather. More family members and friends will be at Saturday's game.

"It'll be pretty special," he said Friday after the morning skate in Tampa, referring to Saturday's homecoming.

Gostisbehere, 22, credited his family for supporting his dream while he was growing up, and said his sister - a onetime Olympic hopeful as a figure skater - was his role model.

Coach Dave Hakstol said he talked to Gostisbehere "real briefly" about not getting caught up in the emotion of returning home.

"He's a pretty mature young guy, and you have to be able to separate business from the family side of coming home," Hakstol said.

Star winger Jake Voracek, who missed his sixth game Friday because of a foot injury, will be examined in Philadelphia on Saturday, and general manager Ron Hextall said he hopes to find out if Voracek "can push to the next level."

Best-case scenario: Voracek is able to skate Sunday and is ready for Tuesday's key game against visiting Detroit.

The Flyers Wives Carnival, which started in 1977, will be held Sunday at the Wells Fargo Center from 1:30 to 6 p.m.

For ticket information, go to PhiladelphiaFlyers.com/Carnival or call 215-389-9426. Since its inception, the event has raised more than $26 million for area nonprofit organizations.