The Headline
.@tjohnny09 got in media scrum for @Opalat18, asking final (and best) question. “What was it like to score a goal as a dad?” Palat wrote “A” on his stick for daughter, Adela, born Nov 7. Palat scored first two goals of season. Cooper: “Guys were telling him to grab the puck.” pic.twitter.com/hXjPK6WAZm
— Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB) December 9, 2018
The Bolts
Yesterday, the biggest thing that happened in these weeks leading up to Christmas was…the game against Colorado. Here’s the Tampa Bay Times recap, and here’s the Sportsnet recap. Below are the more fun ones:
Top Dog Tampa Bay crushes Colorado in road-trip finale [Mile High Hockey]
All day, the Colorado Avalanche’s meeting with the Tampa Bay Lightning was being promoted as a litmus test — a measuring stick game — for the Avs. Colorado entered the night with the top goal-differential in the Western Conference; Tampa Bay had the top goal-differential in the East (and the league).
While one could say Colorado failed its litmus test. One could also just forget the game ever happened.
It was pretty bad.
Stamkos posts four points as the Lightning outclass the Avalanche 7-1 [Raw Charge]
This was a dominant showing for the Lightning. They played one of their best games of the year. Every line contributed. Every pair did their job. Domingue was solid in net. This game was an example of what happens when Tampa hits their highest gear. Colorado has the top end talent but the Lightning’s depth outclassed them tonight.
Anton Stralman (week-to-week) was on the ice for optional skate yesterday morning, as was Andrei Vasilevskiy.
Big Cat sighting. 🦁#GoBolts pic.twitter.com/LtgofyhUh5
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) December 8, 2018
Didn’t remember for last night? It’s happening Monday too:
Reminder tonight is our first of two @toysfortots_usa drives in partnership with the @marforres and @pods!
We will be accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys on Ford Thunder Alley beginning two hours before puck drop through game time.
Info: https://t.co/xHEAnQecV2 pic.twitter.com/wNmHHZbqmy
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) December 8, 2018
The Prospects
Rochester Amerks spoil Syracuse Crunch points streak [Syracuse.com]
The game was a showdown between the top two teams in the North Division, first-place Rochester and second-place Syracuse. Rochester now holds a 3-0 season series lead over its rival, including a pair of one-goal decisions in each of the last two games.
Watch goal spark Teddy Bear Toss at Syracuse Crunch game (video) [Syracuse.com]
Since it was Teddy Bear Toss night, that ignited a shower of fluffy creatures from the stands onto the ice. The game was delayed a few minutes while the Crunch staff quickly gathered them up and hauled them off. The final count produced a total of 4,283.
We made it rain teddy bears in Syracuse. 🧸
Thank you to everyone who donated to our Eighth-Annual @stanleysteemer Tired Teddy Toss. These fluffy friends will all be refurbished and donated to the @SalArmySyr. pic.twitter.com/wvafdJYdQe
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) December 9, 2018
Andy Andreoff scored the #TiredTeddyToss goal for the #SyrCrunch then joined us on our first intermission on @ESPNSyracuse. https://t.co/5c1e31KhNQ
— Lukas Favale (@LukasFavale) December 9, 2018
We’re celebrating 50 years of @Wegmans in Syracuse!
Daniel Walcott, Kevin Lynch and Crunchman are at the Taft Rd. and Oswego Rd. locations in Liverpool and East Genesee St. location in Dewitt until 2 p.m for 📸 and 🖋 pic.twitter.com/mt6XNuVkSn
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) December 8, 2018
About Friday’s game:
Connor Ingram’s eighth career shutout (in only 46 career appearances) ties him for third with Kristers Gudlevskis all-time in #SyrCrunch history. Three off the franchise record (Karl Goehring & J.F. Labbe) https://t.co/g8Ca0q2B7d
— Lukas Favale (@LukasFavale) December 8, 2018
Ingram’s shutout streak is up to 143:52 dating back to Nov. 23. #SyrCrunch. https://t.co/fDQuHVPp1D
— Lukas Favale (@LukasFavale) December 8, 2018
The Game
FRIESEN: WHL move to Winnipeg ‘a done deal’ [Winnipeg Sun]
“It’s a done deal,” he said. “When people are telling you in town that the guy who’s the team president and general manager, his house is just about vacant, that he’s living in his basement and that his wife and kids have moved to Winnipeg… the kids aren’t in school any longer. And there was a vehicle from Manitoba that was helping load stuff up…
Don’t miss the latest episode of The Pipeline Show from @TPS_Guy. In this episode, @MarkEdwardsHP joins the show to talk about some of the most interesting prospects in North America:https://t.co/svDL6yl4IH#HockeyTwitter #ThePipelineShow pic.twitter.com/Ui5UcZOTqK
— Eliteprospects (@eliteprospects) December 8, 2018
