Brandon Hagel scored once and provided an assist as the Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-1. The Lightning overcame a sluggish start to score three times in the third period for their fourth win in a row.
Hagel made a huge statement with a power play goal in his return to Chicago after being traded to the Lightning last season. He also assisted on the game-winning goal by Alex Killorn.
The Lightning started out slow, giving up an early goal by Seth Jones less than five minutes into the game. The Bolts scrapped back into the game behind a Pat Maroon goal halfway through the first period.
“The big thing for us was getting out of that first period tied, 1-1,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said afterwards. “We were a little flat.”
The second period was much more improved but some key misses off the post by Tampa Bay kept the score knotted at 1.
The Lightning finally found their scoring groove in the third.
“Once we started moving out feet, we really started bringing it to them,” Nick Paul commented. “Moving north, going hard. We are a really fast team when we are moving our feet.”
“We are just keeping it simple and working hard. The first wasn’t our best, but we stuck together and built momentum.”
Killorn scored the game winner at the 7:14 mark of the third period, with Hagel adding some insurance three minutes later. Nick Paul put the game out of reach with an empty net goal late.
Blackhawks goalie Alex Stalock made 25 saves impressively in net. However, Chicago dropped their fifth straight and 13 of their past 14 games.
Patrick Kane missed the third period for Chicago due to injury.
Hagel Continues to Make an Impact
Brandon Hagel came from Chicago at the trade deadline last season and started off slow for the Bolts. Some fans questioned his tenacity and if the price tag of two conditional first round picks was worth the acquisition.
Hagel has responded this season with a much improved level of play. His two points tonight against his former team brought the left winger up to 15 goals and 15 assists for the season.
A lesson in staying constantly alert from Professor Hages #TBLvsCHI
Brandon Hagel gets positioning in front for the tap-in, as called by @DaveMishkin
🎧: @1025TheBone or Lightning Radio 24/7 on TuneIn pic.twitter.com/w127YQlUvl
— Lightning Radio (@BoltsRadio) January 4, 2023
Cooper joked afterwards about Hagel’s late game penalty that gave a bit of a spark to Chicago as time wound down.
“I was so happy for him for the first 58 minutes,” he smiled. “Until he took the penalty with two minutes left.”
Cooper went on to praise Hagel for his impact in both Tampa and Chicago.
“He’s brought tons of memories for the fans here (in Chicago). He wasn’t here a long time, but I thought he had an impact.”
“He’s always had that impact for us and he’s such a great kid. It was great for him. Big thrill!”
The Moose Notches His Ninth Straight Win Against Chicago
Brian Elliott stopped 25 of 26 shots for his ninth straight victory against the Blackhawks in various stints around the NHL. Elliott was not phased by the Lightning’s slow start. As a result, he kept the Bolts in contention.
“Give credit to Chicago, they really pushed us tonight,” Cooper went on to say. “But, Elliott made some big saves for us in the first and kept it close.”
“Hags and Killer with a couple big ones there, and Elliott took us home after that.”
Three Stars of the Game
Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay. The offensive production from Hagel capped an impressive third period where the Bolts scored three times to pull away from Chicago.
Brian Elliott, Tampa Bay. Elliott made some key saves in the lackluster first period that kept the Bolts from collapsing early. Once ahead, Elliott locked it down and closed out Chicago for his ninth straight win against them.
The Paul/Maroon/Colton Line. While Elliott kept the Bolts in the game defensively, the line of Nick Paul, Pat Maroon, and Ross Colton kept the Bolts offensive hopes alive. Their hard work led to Maroon’s second goal of the season and a tied first period.
Up Next
The Lightning head to the Twin Cities to play the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday at 9:30pmET.
Follow our coverage of the Tampa Bay Lightning all season long at The Scrum Sports.
