Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict, Raw Charge was not able to watch this game. If the result is any indication on how the Tampa Bay Lightning play when we’re not able to view their games, perhaps we should bump up our social calendars. Behind Brandon Hagel’s five assists (tying a franchise record), and goals from seven different players (Jake Guentzel had two) the Bolts took down the red-hot Colorado Avalanche by a final score of 8-2.
For a true recap, here is the NHL.com’s version of events. For a look at the other side of the ice, our friends at Mile High Hockey had their own recap. They aren’t quite as ecstatic about the outcome as we are. For those, like us, who didn’t watch, here is a condensed version of the action.
Quick Thoughts:
Goal 1 – Love the forecheck
Goal 2 – When the transition game is on, it’s really on. Love that Guentzel shot the puck instead of forcing a pass to Brayden Point.
Goal 3- Puck retrieval and an absolute wicked shot from Nikita Kucherov.
Goal 4 – Hagel is such a pest on the puck. Once again, he shot first instead of passing, and then Luke Glendening cleaned it up for his first goal of the season.
Goal 5 – Anthony Cirelli may never stop scoring, but again the play is set up with the Lightning winning puck battles in the zone.
Goal 6 – Okay, sometimes the extra pass does lead to a really nice goal. In this case, it was the right play by Hagel as the Avalanche had his shot from the slot covered. The awareness to know where Brayden Point was on the play just shows how heads up of a player Hagel is.
Goal 7 – Guentzel took advantage of the Avalanche sleeping on the play. A really heads-up play by Perbix to see Jake all alone at the far blue line.
Goal 8 – Zemgus Girgensons created the turnover and Mikey Eyssimont finally found the back of the net. Good for the fourth line to generate an actual goal. Maybe this will get them rolling a bit.
Looking at the stats, the Bolts did an excellent job of stifling the Colorado offense early, holding them to just 8 shots on goal at 5v5 and 4 high-danger chances over the first 40 minutes. Solid defense bred offense for them, a lesson that the Lightning can carry forward for the near future.
Coach Cooper after the game
Clean-shaven Brandon Hagel talked about a game where did something that puts him up there with Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Bobby Orr (most assists in the first period with four).
