Not so Wild

By on March 8, 2019
TRAVIS FAILEY PHOTO

The Tampa Bay Lightning fought for 60 minutes on Thursday but couldn’t figure out Minnesota goaltender Devan Dubnyk as the Wild defeated the Bolts by a final score of 3-0.

The Bolts started slow in the first, being outshot by the Wild 5-1 to begin the game, before a penalty to Tyler Johnson put them behind the eight ball again. The Bolts killed the penalty but shortly after returning to full strength surrendered the game’s opening goal.

On a blazing rush into the Lightning zone Minnesota’s center Ryan Donato let loose on a wrist shot from the left circle that deflected off of winger Jason Zucker and found the back of the net over Andrei Vasilevskiy’s gloveside shoulder.

The Lightning were able to finish the period with 11 shots to Minnesota’s 10, but couldn’t strike pay dirt.

TRAVIS FAILEY PHOTO

The second period was a stalemate with Minnesota’s defense choking out most of the significant rushes for the Bolts and their offense attacking Vasilevskiy in between. The Wild mustered just six shots on goal in the second period to Tampa’s nine, and despite dangerous chances from the Lightning late in the period, Dubnyk stood strong.

Each team spent two minutes with a man advantage on penalties to Mathieu Joseph and Luke Kunin, but the second period ended with the same result as the first, a 1-0 lead for the Wild.

In the third period Minnesota took control, outshooting the Bolts 14-3 and pulling away while

Just over six minutes into the period Zucker lit the lamp for a second time, this time cleaning a rebound out of midair past Vasilevskiy. The goal was originally waved off as a high stick, but the call was reversed, reviewed and confirmed shortly after.

With 1:46 remaining Zucker – once again – scored as he found the back of an empty net and converted the hat trick on his 20th goal of the season.

Zucker’s three goal game earned him the first star of the game while Dubnyk had to settle for second star behind a stellar, 25 save shutout.

TRAVIS FAILEY PHOTO

Thursday was the Bolts’ first loss on their home ice in the last nine chances and the win gives the Wild 75 points on the season.

The Lightning return to action on Saturday at 7 p.m. as they play host to the Detroit Red Wings.

Categories: Hockey, Sports
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