Thursday, October 16, 2008

Bolts Going Down the Tubes


By JC De La Torre

The Tampa Bay Lightning have now played four games and have yet to taste victory. Tonight, it was the Islanders getting the W as they jumped to a 2-0 lead before blowing it in the third period until the finally pulled it out in overtime, 4-3. Tampa Bay earned their 2 point of a possible 8.

Mike Comrie opened up the scoring early in the first with a tap in goal at the 2:47 mark. They would extend the lead midway through the second period on a Doug Weight power play goal. Then things got a little dicey for the Isles. Vinny Lecavalier scored at the 3:43 mark of the third period to cut the advantage to 2-1. Vinny Prospal would tie it at 2 with a power play goal at the 12:02 mark. A minute later, the Isles would retake the lead on Trent Hunter's 3rd goal of the season. A minute after that, Ryan Malone would get his first goal as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning to tie the game at 3. 51 second into overtime, Hunter would end it with a blast from Frans Nielsen. Game over, New York wins it 4-3.

Tampa Bay is now 0-2-2 on the season and still have yet to give new Head Coach Barry Melrose his first victory. On the bright side, they were even in shots for the first time this season, 36 a piece for both hockey clubs.

The Bolts are burying themselves in an early hole, but the good news is no team in the Southeast division has gotten off to a hot start (Washington leads at 3-1-0, 6pts).

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