Tampa Bay Lightning Game 48: at the Carolina Hurricanes

by Cassie McClellan on Jan 19, 2010 9:00 AM EST in Game recaps Comment 3 comments

More photos » Karl B DeBlaker - AP

The Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-2.

This game was a marked improvement over the previous two games with the Florida Panthers. Even still, they seemed to drag a bit as if they couldn’t quite shake off the effects of those two games. But they managed to score first this time, which they’d been unable to do the past couple of games, and that helped them win.

Antero Niittymaki had a very strong game. He had definitely shrugged off his previous bad start to come back and play a great game. They won, in large part, because of his focus and ability.

Mike Smith was sent back to Tampa to be treated for his sore neck, but has been on the ice skating there. So Dustin Tokarski remains the backup for Niittymaki for at least the rest of this road trip. With the team playing back-to-back games, one might think that Tokarski will get the start in the second matchup. But considering that the Lightning are playing in Madison Square Garden on national TV (Versus), it’s probably more likely that Niittymaki will start again and play back-to-back games.

Another player who was fantastic was Vincent Lecavalier. He scored the game-tying goal on a series of shots and rebounds that Carolina’s goaltender kept giving up. He was insanely good in the faceoff circle as well, having won 9 of 12 total faceoffs (75%). He also had five shots on goal and three missed shots for a total of eight tries.

The highlight of the evening didn’t happen on the ice, but online. During the second period of the game, the Lightning let funny guy Todd Fedoruk post his in-game thoughts on their Twitter. He was a scratch for the game, but was a highly entertaining addition online.

The Lightning out-hit, out-shot, and out-scored the Hurricanes. You can’t ask for more than that of a team. Let’s hope that they can come out with a good effort against the New York Rangers tonight. Game time is 7 pm Eastern, on Versus – with Sun Sports play-by-play guy Rick Peckham working the game.

Lightning vs Hurricanes coverage [SB Nation]

Canes Country [SB Nation Carolina Hurricanes site]

Lightning vs Hurricanes recap [TSN]

Lightning vs Hurricanes boxscore [TSN]

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This game was a marked improvement over the preview two games with the Florida Panthers. Even still, they seemed to drag a bit as if they couldn’t quite shake off the effects of those two games.

Is that one of those “upon reflection” comments, as I didn’t get that impression whilst reading through last night’s game thread?

I should be sound asleep... but it's more fun to watch the Hockey!

by taiter42 on Jan 19, 2010 10:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

It should read “previous two games”. I just fixed that. Sorry.

I mentioned this exact same thing towards the end of the game thread last night. They were better, but they still weren’t as good as perhaps they should’ve been. But, I guess that’s how it is for most game, right?

"Last season we couldn't win at home and we were losing on the road. My failure was that I couldn't think of any place else to play." -Harry Neale, during the '81-'82 as Vancouver Canucks head coach

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community.

by Cassie McClellan on Jan 19, 2010 10:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess the caffeine hadn’t kicked in by that point… (and I actually only just noticed it was “preview” part too)

I think we were spoiled by the Washington game and first part against New Jersey – we finally saw how good this team can be, which makes the Florida-type performances all the more excruciating

I should be sound asleep... but it's more fun to watch the Hockey!

by taiter42 on Jan 19, 2010 10:51 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs