THUNDERSTRUCK 
A mere twenty four hours after the puck dropped last night in Sunrise, Florida, the Flyers found themselves on the ice once more. This time against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Flyers were without forward Simon Gagne again tonight, more on that later. This is game two of the Flyers season long eight game road trip.
The game started with a pretty upbeat tempo to it, then slowed down rather quickly. Tampa Bay put themselves on the board just seven minutes into the game when Jason Ward found the back of the net.
Brad Richards quickly put in another goal to give the Bolts a 2-0 lead.
After a defensive mishap behind Tampa’s net, Jeff Carter was able to bury a puck home to pull the Flyers within one. Jeff Carter is surely showing himself this season, up to now. I’m impressed.
The First period ended with the Flyers down 2-1. At the start of the second period, the Flyers seemed to have a bit more pep in their step, but Vinny Prospal was able to get infront of the net, essentially uncovered, and put a goal in past Niittymaki. The Flyers trailed 3-1 at that point.
About ten minutes into the second period, Lasse Kukkonen laid down for a BEAUTY of a shot block, and slid into the corner. He limped off the ice, but would return to the game on his next shift with no worries.
The Flyers had a HUGE 5-3 opportunity late in the second period, but Mike Knuble was caught setting a pick, thus going to the box for interference, and ending the powerplay opportunity.
Third period was nothing better than any other during tonight’s bout. Mike Knuble did score a goal on a laser from inside the circle, but that seemed to be all the Flyers could engender during the third.
The Lightning would go on to score two more goals, one of them being an empty netter by Brad Richards, and win the game 5-2.
Report on Simon Gagne - Reports out of the Flyers locker room say that Simon Gagne is going to be fine. He did feel a bit dizzy prior to tonight's match-up, hence the scratch. Gagne, if health permits, is scheduled to undergo his baseline test tomorrow. We should know more then. Stay tuned to the Hive.
Defensive Struggles Continue
The Flyers defense allowed too many shots tonight, yet again. I still think that we're developing chemistry on most of our lines, and in our system. I don't think it's a bad thing that we've dropped the last two, though.
Can't control the puck?
Don't get me wrong, when the Flyers have the puck under control, they're a TOTALLY different team than last year. We just can't get that control that we need to win games. Maybe it'll come back before this road trip is over, or we'll find ourselves under .500 again, maybe?
Nitty looked okay...
I wasn't TOO, TOO thrilled with Antero's play tonight. He made some of the key saves he needed to make, but he really wasn't hung out to dry on many of tonight's goals. Example, the shot that came right past his glove, and into the corner.
The Flyers take to the ice next on Saturday from Boston. The game, which was originally scheduled for 7 PM, was moved to 4PM due to the world series.
- Andy Geleff
Andy@flyershive.com