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Lightning

Red Hot Lightning Win Again

It’s been a whirlwind week for the Tampa Bay Lightning. A week ago, they were on the outside looking in for playoff contention. The Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings had both jumped over the Lightning in the standings. Wouldn’t you know that those two teams were on the schedule this week. That makes the games this week huge for determining ultimate playoff positions. On the rare back to back home games against Ottawa during the week, the Lightning won both. Heading into today’s matinee game in Detroit, the red hot Lightning wanted to stay that way. 

Flying High

The Lightning didn’t pussyfoot around today. The game was less than two minutes old when the red hot Brandon Hagel opened the scoring. Taking a pass in stride in the neutral zone from Nikita Kucherov, Hagel took a shot. Just like that, it’s five goals in five games for Hagel.

Less than 90 seconds later, the Bolts kept their foot on the gas. Another entry into the Red Wings zone, and Erik Cernak blasted the puck towards the net. Anthony Cirelli took away Lyon’s vision as Cernak’s slap shot from the blue line whizzed by the Detroit goalie.

After letting in two goals in the first three shots he faced, Lyon was pulled from the game replaced by Cam Talbot.

Back and Forth 

After the quick start by Tampa, the game and both teams settled in during the second period. In fact, the Wings were seeing extended offensive zone time. Eventually, Vlad Tarasenko tipped in a Mo Seider slap shot that got past Andrei Vasilevskiy. Detroit cut the Lightning lead in half and the crowd was into the game. A Lightning response was needed. That was provided by Brayden Point. Taking a pass from Gage Conclaves in the low slot, Point lifted the puck past Talbot to make it a 3 – 1 Lightning lead. 


If that answer wasn’t heard by all, Nick Paul made sure everyone in the building heard the next one. Hagel pushed a pass to a streaking Paul who went in all alone on Talbot. Paul didn’t miss. Just like their quick start in the game, In less than 3:30 minutes, the Lightning scored two goals and had a 4- 1 lead with less than five minutes left in the second period. 

Red Hot Lightning Status Locked

The wind in the Wings sails was deflated by the newest member of the Lightning. Dylan Duke, just called up, scored his first NHL goal to give his team back their two goal lead. This goal was a thing of beauty. All five skaters working tirelessly in the offensive zone touched the puck in succession to score the goal.  

Luke Glendenning, working hard along the boards, tips the puck past a Detroit defender to Mitchell Chafee. Then Chafee pushes it to Victor Hedman at the point. Hedman then makes a cross-ice pass to Nick Perbix. After taking a couple strides in, Perbix slaps a shot towards the net. Talbot makes the pad save but that’s when Duke pounced.The kid jumped on the puck and slid it past the Detroit netminder. 

With just 15 minutes left in the game and a two goal lead, things are looking promising for the red hot Lightning. When the game is down to its final four minutes, Talbot is pulled for an extra skater. They did put pressure on Vasilevskiy and his defenders but they didn’t break. 

Hagel, officially on fire, put in an empty netter. Six goals in his last five games. Hagel stays hot and he leads his red hot team to another victory.

Three Stars 

  1. Brandon Hagel – Two goals, two assists leading his team to another win.
  2. Nikita Kucherov – Three assists. The straw that stirs the Lightning drink.
  3. Erik Cernak – One goal, two assists. Also added four blocked shots

What’s Next 

Tomorrow afternoon in Montreal to face the Canadiens. Last game before the two week break for the Four Nations Tournament. Puck drops at 1:00 pm.

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