Lightning strikes Boston, Hartigan

The skies had been bright and blue for weeks... but the Boston Bruins could see a storm approaching. Mercifully, the radar showed that it appeared to be a short thunderstorm - although anyone who has been in West Texas knows those can bring damage.

As Queen sang... "Thunderstorms and Lightning, very very frightening me!"

On Wednesday night, the Bruins arrived in Tampa Bay for the fury of a perfect storm, and took the brunt of Mother Nature - and Father Time himself, Mario Lemieux.

Lemieux, who has been on the trading block for at least a month, earned himself a hat trick against the Bruins. GM Joshua Anderson was overheard in the media box cursing repeatedly, claiming this only shows that while the Bruins are executing the team concept, a superstar can defeat them. Asked whether he would make defensive moves, Anderson stated only "maybe next time I'll send Matt Walker out there."

The Bruins offense came as Bill Guerin and Jochan Hecht continued to battle for the team lead in scoring, notching their fourteenth and fifteenth of the season, respectively. Lars Jonsson and Andy McDonald also added goals in the losing effort. McDonald added two assists to net the second game star.

Tampa Bay goon Kyle Calder bounced Matt Hartigan from the game at the 14:42 mark of the first period, injuring the winger's knee on a boarding penalty, which earned Calder an ejection. Pierre Turgeon will replace Hartigan in the lineup for the week or so he is expected to miss.

The Bruins will host Toronto in an effort to stake out the division lead tonight.