Game Recap: TB 5 - NYR 3
Yep, you read it right. The Bolts finally got a win, and even more amazing, they did it on the road. The Lightning got goals from some unexpected places. Chris Gratton had a huge night registering two goals and an assist. Doug Janik netted his 1st of the season, and the final 2 Lightning goals came from Prospal and an empty netter from St. Louis. The goal by Marty was his 200th career goal.
The Lightning played probably the best 1st period of the season. After going down 1-0 on a mishandled puck by Ramo, the Bolts fired right back. Janik launched a shot from the point that redirected off a Ranger stick to beat Lundqvist, and tie the game at one. The Bolts next goal was a thing of beauty eh. Hlavac forchecked hard and won the puck in the left corner, skated out and sent a perfect no look backhand pass to Jason Ward. Ward then touched it to Gratton who buried it for the Bolts second goal of the game.
In the Second, Gratton put the Lightning up by 3 when he redirected a Shane O'Brien shot past Lundqvist. Midway through the period, Vinny Prospal beat Lundqvist high glove off a great feed from St. Louis.
The third period was not what the Bolts wanted. Up 4-2 heading into the final period, the Lightning were seemingly in control. But as has been the case, holding onto a lead in the third has not been the Lightning's forte'. This game was no different. 6 consecutive Ranger power plays didn't help matters. The largest being a 4 minute double minor to MacDonald for high sticking. (The call should have gone to Tyutin for tripping MacDonald, who clipped Tyutin with the stick as he was falling on his behind, IMO) The Rangers promptly scored on the first half of the double to pull within 1. Here we go again, right? The Bolts then took a bad too many men on the ice penalty do be shorthanded 5 on 3. But low and behold, things actually went the Bolts way. A great penalty kill effort by Ranger, Kuba and Richards kept the Rangers off the board. The game ended with Lundqvist pulled, and Vinny feeding Marty for the Empty netter and his 200th career goal.
The Bolts now head home to face Sid the Kid Thursday night.
Game Hightlights:
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