When Gabe Fortier’s shot clanked off the bar and in with 50 seconds left in the game, there was a whisper of hope that the Syracuse Crunch could pull off a three-goal comeback in the dying minutes of their game against the Toronto Marlies. Unfortunately, they couldn’t find the equalizer and Toronto escaped with the 3-2 win.
Toronto jumped out to the first-period lead when Nikita Grebenkin beat Brandon Halverson, who finished with 21 saves on 24 shots. Neither team would score in the middle frame despite some close chances. Daniel Walcott had a deflection that went wide of the net by just a whisker. The teams traded chances into the third, and it was the Crunch who blinked first.
Alex Steeves scored his 18th goal of the season on a back-door feed, and then Grebenkin swatted a centering pass out of the air 23 seconds later to extend the lead to 3-1. Jujhar Khaira, playing in his first game with the Crunch, scored on the power play with 2:09 left to go in the game. Fortier’s goal came a minute later, but Toronto held on to snap their four-game losing streak.
Syracuse, who was playing without their leading goal scorer, Dylan Duke, who suffered an undisclosed injury in their last outing. The Crunch have now lost three games in a row, but will be back on the ice tomorrow against Rochester with a chance to get back into the win column.
Lightning News
Lightning show heart and hustle are part of their team identity [Lightning Insider]
In his recap of the Bruins win, EE talks about the Lightning playing to their new identity. When they do it, they’re pretty tough to beat.
This Lightning player has a whopping 7 games on his resume [Tampa Bay Times]
Luke Glendening has played a lot of outdoor hockey in his career. Per the article, he played three times when he was with Michigan, one with the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL, and three with the Detroit Red Wings. He’ll have to re-sign with the Bolts to make it eight (or, we guess, sign with Florida, New York, or Boston).
Samsonov on Demidov’s future, Kaprizov’s decision, Kucherov/Gretzky comparison [Responsible Gambler]
Former NHLer, and current employee of Dan Milstein’s Gold Star Hockey, Sergei Samsonov, chatted with the website about a wide-range of the the agency’s clients, including Nikita Kucherov. The former Bruin likens Kucherov’s vision to that of The Great One, Wayne Gretzky.
Growing the Game in Tampa Bay [The Tampa Bay Lightning]
The Bolts have a site set up for information about the upcoming Stadium Series game that also talks about how hockey has grown over the last decade.
Lightning mid-season report cards: Top Line Forwards [The Hockey Writers]
As we approach the halfway point, Jack Pallotta breaks down the play of the top forwards so far this season. Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Jake Guentzel remain very good at hockey.
NHL’s best surprises at the 2024-25 mid-point [The Athletic]
Conor Geekie’s ability to stick with Anthony Cirelli and Brandon Hagel on the second line is their pick for the Lightning’s
Prospect News
Spartans’ Howard has been MVP of the season so far [SI.com – Michigan State]
This one is a few days old, but it’s always nice to see the Lightning prospects getting some good press. His early season success (27 points in 20 games) has his name being bandied about in the Hobey Baker Award discussion.
OHL Play of the Night – Kaden Pitre
Another prospect having a solid season is Kaden Pitre. The 2024 sixth-round pick is up to 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) in 36 games for the Flint Firebirds. The 18-year-old is four points away from matching his career-high in points with just under half of the season to go.
Hockey News
NHL Power Poll [ESPN]
The Lightning drop a spot to #13 in the World-Wide Leader’s rankings. Even after a shaky weekend, the Bolts are on pace to make the playoffs.
Bruins laugh off “rift” in locker room [NESN]
Boston sports radio tends to live in their own little world, and in that world David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand are at each other’s throats. Following the loss to the Lightning, the duo laughed off those reports.
32 Thoughts: What happened between the Rangers/Canucks [Sportsnet]
Outside of a reference to next year’s outdoor game, there was no mention of the Lightning, but Elliotte does drop some knowledge on a potential Rangers/Canucks trade, the possibility of the cap going up by a wide margin in two seasons, and Frank Vatrano’s deferred payments contract.
