Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Lightning Comeback Falls Short as Hurricanes Skate to Victory

April 22, 2013, 1:12 AM ET [26 Comments]
Michael Stuart
Ottawa Senators Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Sunday night consisted of yet another early deficit, another spirited comeback, and ultimately another loss for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Despite showing some heart late in the contest, the Bolts’ early mistakes cost them a shot at victory and sealed the deal on a 3-2 victory for the Carolina Hurricanes.

Earlier this season, the Lightning seemed to love first periods. Often, the team started strong and got out to early leads while building confidence through the first frame. On Sunday, it was the Carolina Hurricanes who adored the first twenty. Alexander Semin beat Anders Lindback, who made 25 saves in his return from injury, only sixteen seconds into the game to give the Hurricanes the early lead. From that moment, it was almost abundantly clear that it just wasn't going to be the Lightning's night.

Jiri Tlusty scored two goals later in the first frame to extend the Hurricanes’ lead to three. Tlusty has been one of the league’s pleasant surprises this season. With 21 goals tallied so far, he has established himself as a go-to offensive force for the Hurricanes. After struggling through the early stages of his career with the Maple Leafs organization, he has seemingly found a home in Carolina.

Down 3-0 after one period, the Lightning were on life support. There just wasn’t anything to indicate that a comeback was going to happen, or that one was even possible. Of course, as they have done so many times this season, the guys surprised everyone in attendance at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Steven Stamkos would get the scoring started for the Lightning midway through the second period. On the power play, Stamkos took a pass from Sami Salo and wired a great shot past Dan Ellis. His 28th of the season brought the Lightning to within two. With Lindback solid and a better defensive game plan in the second, the Bolts were gifted a little bit of life.

Things would get slightly more exciting only a couple minutes into the third period as Martin St. Louis scored his 13th of the season to cut the deficit to one. Vincent Lecavalier found St. Louis with a great pass, and he made no mistake potting the backhander past Ellis. That goal, combined with his assist on the earlier Stamkos goal, brings Marty’s season point total to 55. For those of you who missed the memo, that puts him only one point behind an injured Sidney Crosby for the league lead. At nearly 38 years old, St. Louis continues to prove that he is one of the league’s premier offensive forces.

Unfortunately, the Lightning couldn’t muster up the tying goal. Dan Ellis, who made 35 saves in the game, was solid enough to hold the Hurricanes in and grab the victory. For the Lightning, Sunday provided another tough loss to add to the record books and nothing more. The 2013 season has been far from pretty for the Lightning, and at this point it’s impossible not to think about tee times and beyond. The pain is almost over, so sit tight.

With six straight losses in the books, the Lightning are reeling right now. For this team to be that much better next season, everyone on the roster is going to have to step up. It’s going to take that little bit more from everybody. Still, with a high draft pick in sight and some great young players making their way through the system, there is certainly a lot to look forward to in Tampa. Let’s get the 2013 season over with and look toward a refreshing summer.

As always, thanks for reading.
Join the Discussion: » 26 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Michael Stuart
» Brown, Paul Combine for Canada's Golden Goal at World Championship
» Senators to Select 10th Overall; What Should They Do with the Pick?
» Finding the Right Centerpiece
» Senators Team Awards Ballot
» Melnyk Speaks