Tampa Lose to Canucks

(Tampa) - The Lightning played host to the Canucks today and once again the defence and goaltending let the team down. The Canucks walked away with a 5-3 win and for some reason the Bolts just can't seem to get into a groove. The game featured very little penalties and besides the first period, a very close game.

First Period
In the first, the Lightning outplayed the Canucks in all area's but one. In the net. The shots were 12-6 and the teams combined for 4 goals. Hejduk started the game the way the Bolts were hoping, with a very quick goal. 30 seconds into the 1st period he broke in all alone and ripped a shot over Aulds left shoulder. The lead only lasted a little while as the Canucks scored at the 5:20 mark when Fedotenko tipped in a shot from the point to even the score at 1. A power play goal one minute later gave the Lightning another lead when Sullivan got his second. He took a pass from Brewer and one timed the shot into the stick side of Auld for a 2-1 lead. The back breaker came at the end of a great Lightning period when Cisar took a break away pass from Saleim and beat Thibault on a pretty deke to his left. After the 1st period, the Lightning and the Canucks were tied at 2.

Second Period
This was a period the Bolts would like to forget. The teams were very wide open and the Canucks out shot the Bolts 12-11 in the period but it was the Nucks who got the only goals in the period. A late first goal and an early 2nd period goal, 51 seconds into the period, by Conroy gave the Nucks a 3-2 lead. It was a lead they would never surrender and before the end of the period they got goals from Yushkevich and Bouck. After 2 periods the Canucks had a 5-2 lead.

Third Period
It was a tight checking 3rd period with the Bolts having a 8-7 edge in shots. The Lightning did manage to get one more goal as Pothier scored his second of the year on a point shot that elluded Auld. But after that there was no life left in the Bolts and they fell 5-3 to the Canucks at home. Hurme played the 3rd periond and stopped all 7 shots that he faced. Gm Sprackman has grumbled he may start Hurme in the teams next game.

Ice Chips
Mario sat out another game and is a few games away yet before he see's any action.
Tampa is looking to make some moves and many players have been rumored out of town. Will the Gm make a move? He sure is trying and only time will tell if one can be made.