It may have been the most unlikely goal in Tampa Bay Lightning history. You might say it was a shot clear from Syracuse.
On the other hand, it provided the winning shot in a 5-2 victory over Ottawa on Sunday afternoon.
On a team with as much firepower as the Lightning’s when it came into the year, could you ever have imagined a goal like that? Mike Angelidis scores on a pass from Mike Blunden and one from Jonathan Marchessault. Quick: Does anyone have a nifty nickname for this trio?
“It felt great,” Angelidis said. “You know every chance you get to play up here is a blessing, and I was thankful I got out there and the puck went in”
Angelidis was playing in only his second game for the Bolts. For Blunden, it was his seventh game, and he scored the second goal of his career. The first was in 2012. For Marchessault, the old man of the group, it was his 17th. Think about it. It was the first goal for Angelidis, the first assist for Blunden and the third assist for Marchessault.
“Every time we win, it’s the same thing,” said Lightning coach Jon Cooper. “We call it Tampacuse. They’re all contributing. You can talk about Angelidis, but Blunden is a big reason that one goes in the net. Everyone is contributing.”
Cooper estimates the Lightning has used nine players from Syracuse in the Bolts’ 34 games. The team has been forced to do so with Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, and Jonathan Drouin out. Brian Boyle was injured during Sunday’s game.
This time, it was important for the Lightning to bounce back to win its third game in four tries. Its last game out, it blew a 3-1 lead against Washington, and the Caps’ power play scored three times. This time, the penalty kill was important, including one with five minutes to go and the Lightning lead still at one.
Steven Stamkos scored two goals — his third in two games. In those two games, he has 12 shots after having only nine in his previous eight games. Stamkos has 14 goals for the season.
“It’s my mentality,” Stamkos said. “I had to remind myself that skating and shooting the puck were my strengths.”
Ben Bishop stopped 23 of 25 shots to pick up his 14th win of the season.
The Lightning, 9-5 in their last 14 games, play Tuesday against Vancouver.
