Steve Downie Photo by Linda Hamilton

So, about tonight’s game. I only watched the first period. What I saw looked great. The Lightning were controlling the puck, looked very solid in their defensive style, and even set a franchise record for the shortest time elapsed between one player’s two goals.

You can imagine my surprise when I got home and saw the final score of Pittsburgh 4, Tampa 2. In spite of all of this, they finished their three game road trip earning three out of a possible six points. Not great, but it definitely keeps them alive when it comes to earning a playoff spot.

Steve Downie didn’t wait long to start working on his next 50 goals. After reaching that milestone last night in Buffalo, he scored the Lightning’s two goals tonight. The first came on a slap shot from the left circle that got by Brent Johnson’s arm.

The record setting second goal came just 11 seconds after when Downie tapped in a Teddy Purcell pass through the crease. Purcell got one of the assists on Steve’s first goal as well.

Unfortunately the great first period couldn’t hold out against Pittsburgh dangerous goal scorers. It’ s tough to sustain the energy in games on back to back nights, so it is what it is.

The Bolts get a day’s rest before the upcoming four game home stand.