The Tampa Bay Lightning came into action to face the Philadelphia Flyers today with all kinds of swagger. On Thursday night, Brayden Point scored three consecutive power play goals in just 91 seconds. The Bolts battled back from two deficits and a combined three goals to beat the Penguins in electrifying fashion. Thankfully for Tampa Bay, they showcased similar determination in a win this afternoon.
If the Lightning proved anything on Thursday, it was that you must battle through adversity to win games, especially on the road. They were dealt their fair share of adversity in Pittsburgh. However, they gave the word a whole new meaning this afternoon, in a wild affair at Wells Fargo Center.
Louis’ larceny
The first period was dominated by Philadelphia. If not for Louis Domingue, who stole the period, the Lightning very well could have been down two or three goals after one.
It was evident from the get-go that this was not the Bolts’ best period. Travis Konecny had no trouble getting behind the Tampa Bay defense, but Domingue shut the door not once but twice. Later on, an unlikely bounce on a dump-in startled the Lightning net-minder during a Bolts power play, but yet again Domingue was there to stone former Bolt Radko Gudas on a two-on-one.
Tampa Bay were on their heels for the better part of the period, being outshot 18-7. Though thanks to Louis Domingue, the teams headed to the locker rooms scoreless.
Quality over quantity
The shots were 22-9 Philadelphia when the game’s first goal was scored. However, it was Tampa Bay who opened the scoring at the 6:02 mark of the second period. Adam Erne sliced into the Philadelphia zone, completed a give-and go with Yanni Gourde and ripped it short-side on Calvin Pickard. This was the just the third time in the last eleven games the Lightning opened the scoring.
Building the Lead
Erne made a fine play along the wall at the 6:02 mark, and was rewarded with his second point of the game on just its second goal. Skating towards the blueline, Erne made a sharp cut back to evade Andrew MacDonald and find Cedric Paquette for the tap in. A beautiful goal put the Lightning up 2-0.
Playing with Fire
Prior to Paquette’s tally, the Lightning had already taken two penalties in just over a period of action, having just killed one off in the opening moments of period two. They weren’t so lucky the third time around. Erik Cernak was called for tripping, and Travis Konecny made no mistake in front of the net, corralling a bouncing point shot and slamming it home to cut the Lightning lead in half. The power play marker came less than three minutes after Paquette scored.
Down and Dirty
Still in the second, Brayden Point restored the Lightning’s two goal lead. Like Paquette’s goal, there was nothing pretty about this one. Yet again, a Tampa Bay player drove the net hard and was was rewarded. It was 3-1 Tampa Bay after two.
Power play on Point
Just two days ago, Brayden Point scored three consecutive power play goals in only 91 seconds. He was involved in another lightning quick series of power play goals tonight.
Following back to back Flyer penalties, the Lightning had a two man advantage in the early third, and they made quick work of it. Tyler Johnson took only five seconds to blast home a one-timer off of a won face-off. Just six seconds later, it was Point again, scoring the second Lightning goal in 11 seconds this time around, to make it 5-1.
An unraveling
The second half of the third period was an unmitigated disaster for the Lightning. They took three more penalties and paid the price. Konecny got his second of the night following an Erik Cernak tripping penalty. Just over a minute later, the Bolts were suddenly staring at just a 5-3 lead, when Sean Couturier scored on the powerplay, thanks to Konecny drawing a penalty.
At the 15:58 mark of the third, Konecny continued to take over the game. He buried his second of the night when he slipped one past Domingue from just feet away.
The onslaught continued just moments later. Not even a minute and a half later. Wayne Simmonds buried the fourth consecutive third period Flyer goal in a ridiculous 6:02 to tie the game 5-5.
Similar to the first, Louis Domingue was under siege for most of this period. The final shots were 45-26 for the Flyers, but it would take overtime to find a winner in this one, thanks to an incredible late run by Philadelphia.
Escaping with the extra point
The overtime period lasted nearly as long as the Lightning’s lead. Anthony Cirelli scored an angry goal to offset a frustrating few minutes for the Lightning, ending it at the 1:47 mark. Cirelli displayed incredible determination to fend off Wayne Simmonds, evading multiple stick lifts coming out of the corner en route to the slot. He made no mistake, hoisting one above Calvin Pickard to secure a 6-5 win for Tampa Bay.
Up next
The Bolts will have a travel day tomorrow before taking on the Nashville Predators on the road at 8PM Monday night.
Our thee stars of the game
- Louis Domingue- Tampa Bay Lightning- #70: The Lightning simply would not have won this hockey game if not for the stellar play of Domingue. Though he gave up five goals, he held the Flyers off the board during a Philadelphia-dominated first period, and made several sharp saves in the third to get the game to overtime.
- Travis Konecny- Philadelphia Flyers- #11: Konecny was all over the ice all afternoon, sparking the Philly offence by drawing a penalty and scoring two goals at key junctures of the game.
- Adam Erne- Tampa Bay Lightning- #73: Erne was a presence in this hockey game. He jumpstarted the Bolts after a slow start, by scoring a goal, then creating an open net for Cedric Paquette to put the Lightning up 2-0.
