By Jake Ricker
The following players/coach missed last night's game due to COVID protocol or injury:
TBL: F Taylor Raddysh, F Anthony Cirelli, G Brian Elliott, D Mikhail Sergachev, D Andrej Sustr, G Andrei Vasilevskiy, Assistant coach Rob Zettler (COVID-19 Protocol); D Erik Cernak, F Nikita Kucherov (Injury)
FLA: F Olli Juolevi (COVID-19 Protocol); D Markus Nutivaara D Sam Bennett F Noel Acciari (Injury)
Game Summary
1st Period
With the Lightning again facing covid issues, it would be another tough task to pull out the win. Both teams picked up some early chances, but it was Florida who got on the board first as Duclair split the defense and beat Lagacé for a 1-0 lead.
Florida would continue to capitalize on their opportunities as they scored on the power play to make it 2-0. Lagacé did not have his best game by far, but it's important to remember there is a reason that he is still a 3rd string goaltender.
Unfortunately, things wouldn't get any better as the Panthers then made it 3-0 off a rebound shot. The Lightning then got one back as Bogosian blasted a shot on net and then got his one rebound and banked it off Knight to make it a 3-1 hockey game. The temperature then began to rise as Ekblad came in, shoved Killorn and both teams got together.
2nd Period
The second started just like the first as the Partners picked up some early chances, and we're eventually to best Lagacé to regain their three-goal lead. The Bolts pushed back quickly, and this time, the Captin fired one home to make it 4-2.
Both teams were then able to settle down, limiting shots and shutting down the ones that did get on net. Both teams also kept the pushing and shoving to a minimum which is not normal for these two rivals.
Florida then once again extended their lead to three as the puck trickled through Lagacé and Mamin tapped it home. Florida then built on that momentum, as Lagacé made a save but couldn't control the rebound, and the Panthers put it past him to make it 6-2
3rd Period
The Lighting would make a goalie chance to start the 3rd as 20-year-old Hugo Alnefelt entered the game.
The Lightning would then get a chance on the power play to get some momentum back, and they would do just that after a few nice passes. Point buried it to make it 6-3. It would be short-lived, though, as Duclair broke off on a breakaway and quickly scored to make it 7-3.
This game was over a long time ago, and the Lightning were feeling the effects of having two AHL goaltenders in the net. The Panthers then kept piling it on as Ekblad blasted one home to make it 8-3. The goal of the third period for the Lighting was now to get out without any injuries. But unfortunately, they would have to suffer a little more as the Partners scored shorthanded to make it 9-3.
The game would then finally come to a close, and the Bolts could not get out of there fast enough.
Game Stats
TBL FLA
42 Shots on Goal 37
56 Face-off % 44
1/4 Power play 1/3
42 PIM 24
29 Hits 40
13 Blocks 11
6 Giveaways 10
Our Three Stars
1. Huberdeau (FLA): 1 Goal, 4 Assists
2. Duclair (FLA): 2 Goals, 1 Assist
3. Knight (FLA): 33 Saves
Media's Three Stars
1. Duclair (FLA): 2 Goals, 1 Assist
2. Huberdeau (FLA): 1 Goal, 4 Assists
3. Knight (FLA): 33 Saves
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