Last night’s game featured a little brotherly rivalry as the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Conor Geekie took on his older brother Morgan, who plays for the Boston Bruins, for the first time at the NHL level. Prior to the game, the Lightning’s Benjamin Pierce spoke to Conor about their familiar competition.
It’s not the first time a Bolts player has taken to the ice against his brother, heck, it’s not even the first time this year as Darren Raddysh clashed against little bro Taylor when the Bolts played the Capitals. Still, it’s always fun to see, especially considering that, due to the six-year age difference between Conor and Morgan, they didn’t really play against each other growing up. Also making it special is the fact that the Bruins are on their annual mothers trip, meaning that Tobi Geekie will be there to see both of her boys play in the same building.
So, who was the first player to play against his brother while wearing a Lightning uniform? Well, that question is a Great One. Back on October 20, 1993 Brent Gretzky took to the ice for his second game as a member of the Bolts. Lined up across from him on the ice in the old ThunderDome? None other than his brother, Wayne. According to reports from the next day’s Tampa Tribune, Wayne had a goal and two assists while Brent rang one off of the post. Little brother did get a lick in on the Great One as he landed a hit on him in the second period.
Lightning News
Lightning beat Bruins, 4-1 [Raw Charge]
Brian Bradley, Rick Peckham hold special places in Lightning History [Tampa Bay Times]
The two members of the Lightning’s third hall of fame class both made a lasting impact on Lightning fans. Bradley was the team’s first all-star and carried the team until his body gave out on him while an entire generation grew up listening to Peckham announce Lightning games.
Which NHL Eastern Conference trades and signings have aged best and worst [The Athletic]
The folks over at The Athletic give Julien BriseBois a “home run” for his major pick-ups in J.J. Moser, Ryan McDonagh, and Jake Guentzel. They point out Guentzel’s 5v5 production and the fact that the power play is ranked third in the league have offset the loss of Steven Stamkos to free agency.
Trade Watch 2025 [The Fourth Period]
There are 25 names on The Fourth Period’s trade watch list and the Lightning are “linked” to four of them (Yanni Gourde, Brian Dumoulin, Scott Laughton, Rasmus Andersson). As with everything trade related, the strength of those links is up for debate.
The Prospects
Ethan Hay traded to Kingston Frontenacs [Kingston Frontenacs]
The Lightning’s 2023 draft pick was on the move in a blockbuster OHL trade as Saginaw sent Hay and Will Bishop to Kingston in exchange for Xander Velliaris and eight (!) draft picks. Hay, who was the captain of the Spirit, has 13 points (8 goals, 5 assists) in 32 games this season.
Crunch fall to Utica Comets, 5-1 [Syracuse Crunch]
It was a tough night for the Crunch on Wednesday as they could only muster a Logan Brown goal against Isaac Poulter and the Utica Comets. Matt Tomkins was in net and had 19 saves on 24 shots. The Crunch are now 2-1-1 in the month of January and stand in fifth place in the North Division.
Brandon Halverson named AHL All-Star [Local.Syr.com]
Halverson’s breakout season continues with another honor as he will represent the Crunch at the AHL All-Star Game in Palm Desert, California next month. Halverson currently sports a league-leading 1.77 GAA to go along with his 10-4-5 record and .934 SV%. It’s the goaltender’s first All-Star appearance in the AHL.
The Game
Meet the only teammate of both Ovechkin and Gretzky [ESPN.com]
Mike Knuble is the answer to the question of “Who is the only player to play with both Wayne Gretzky and Alex Ovechkin?” The 16-year veteran played with The Great One in New York and the Great Eight in Washington.
