Smith Takes It Like A Man

Lightning goaltender Mike Smith stopped 32 of 33 shots and played 60 minutes on the way to a 2-1 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes in Everett, Washington. This was good news for Lightning followers, but even better news was that the Bolts backstop was run into by his teammate.

Huh?

Yep. Big Ryan Craig inadvertently ran into Smith around the 15-minute mark of the first period. Bolt heads everywhere held their collective breath in anticipation of the result. Smith lay on the ice for a moment and then seemed to grab his head. He rose up, gingerly skated to the boards and then back to the net to put his equipment on.

Play continued and Smith showed no ill effects. In fact, later Smith let us in on where he was hurting, “Other than I can’t have kids, there are no effects.”

This was the second stop in the Bolts five games in five nights, globetrotting expedition. They rested all of their stars including Vinny, Marty, Stammer, Bugsy, Ohlund, Tanguay and Hedman.

Defenseman Andrej Meszaros played in his first pre-season game, earning an assist on Jeff Halpern’s first of two goals on the night. Tampa Bay finished with 18 shots on goal The Lightning penalty kill continues to be solid, holding Phoenix off the board on three power play opportunities. The Bolts have now killed off 11 consecutive penalties..

I think its time for coach Tocchet to stop evaluating prospects and start playing the regulars that will open the season. Vinny needs to know who his winger is and the special team groups need to start working together.

The Lightning f travel to Loveland, Colorado where they will face the Coyotes again.