The Bolts
Who will the Tampa Bay Lightning draft this summer? “This would be a great time for the scouting department to hit the bullseye on a defenseman. Miro Heiskanen could be that prospect.” [Raw Charge]
Bob McKenzie believes Jonathan Drouin may be traded this summer. “I won’t be overly surprised if Jonathan Drouin gets traded by the Tampa Bay Lightning in this off-season. As I said, it’s not a slam dunk. There’s a whole bunch of moving parts and a lot of variables. Let’s talk about some of those.” [Raw Charge]
Thank you #Bolts fans for another great year of your endless support! You guys are the best! #BeTheThunder ⚡️
— Andrej Sustr (@AndrejSustr) April 15, 2017
“The first of many questions the Lightning will face this season is which player will be selected by the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL Expansion Draft on June 21.” [The Hockey Writers]
The Prospects
Despite resting a lot of starting players, the Syracuse Crunch defeated the Utica Comets and clinched the North Division title. “With all of the challenges we have faced this year, they way they responded, it’s awesome,” [head coach Benoit] Groulx said after the win. “We managed to get points in our last five games. We put ourselves in a position where we could clinch in our last two games. We did it and I’m proud of those guys.” [Raw Charge]
The Crunch also handed out their annual awards last night.
- Smart Player of the Year – Erik Condra
- Most Improved – Jake Dotchin
- Brightest Prospect / Rookie of the Year – Ben Thomas
- Pest of the Year – Cory Conacher
- Best Plus/Minus – Michael Bournival
- Power Forward of the Year – Adam Erne
- AHL Man of the Year – Matt Taormina
- Defender of the Year – Matt Taormina
- MVP Award – Yanni Gourde/
Still need more Syracuse? Don’t worry. The good folks at Fully Focused Media deliver yet another amazing lip sync performance. This time the Crunch take on the Backstreet Boys 1999 classic “I Want It That Way.”
You are our 🔥, the one desire. pic.twitter.com/RmHA9CQnXj
— x – Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) April 15, 2017
Cameron Darcy was held off the scoreboard as the Kalamazoo Wings lost 4-1 to the Toledo Walleye. The Walleye lead the series 2-0. “There is a fine line between physical play and undisciplined play. On Saturday night the Kalamazoo Wings looked at that line, cross-checked it a few times and then speared it.” [Raw Charge]
Taylor Raddysh (#17 in red) had a three-point night (one goal, two assists), Anthony Cirelli (#22) scored a goal and an assist, and Erik Cernak (#14) picked up an assist to help the Erie Otters defeat Mitchell Stephens (#67 in white) and the London Knights. Raddysh scored the game-winning goal by stealing the puck from Stephens; his impressive effort was rewarded with first star of the game honors. The Otters lead the series 3-2.
The Game
“The Columbus Blue Jackets will return home for Game 3 of their series against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the hole two games and now without the services of Matt Calvert. The Department of Player Safety has suspended Calvert for one game (Game 3 in the series) after he cross-checked Tom Kuhnhackl at the end of Game 2.” [Puck Daddy]
Pekka Rinne had a shutout and a multi-point game. That’s right, the goalie picked up two assists. “The Predators blew out the Blackhawks in Game 2 tonight. The final score was 5-0… Pekka Rinne: 30 saves and two more points than the entire Blackhawks team in 120 minutes.” [On The Forecheck]
Game 2 of the Washington Capitals and Toronto Maple Leafs game when to double overtime. The game-winning goal was scored by Kasperi Kapanen off a stellar pass by former Bolt Brian Boyle.
