TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Bolts End Trip With Whimper, Lose 4-0 To Panthers

ADVERTISEMENT

By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 13, 2008

SUNRISE - Through the opening 15 games of the season, the Lightning are a product of false advertising.

Tampa Bay was supposed to be a high-powered offensive juggernaut. But after a 4-0 loss to Florida on Wednesday, the Lightning finished a five-game road trip with a 1-3-1 record and scored nine goals.

The Lightning rarely challenged Panthers goaltender Craig Anderson, who finished with 24 saves and handed Tampa Bay its third shutout loss of the season. Heading into tonight's game against Detroit, the Lightning are the league's lowest-scoring team with 30 goals.

"Guys want to do the right things, we're just not getting it done as players and that's the bottom line. We're not playing together, we're not supporting each other and that's up to the players. We have to make a decision as to where we're at right now as a team," veteran right wing Mark Recchi said. "It's not good enough what is happening right now, and I think we all know that.

"I think the guys all care and want to do the right thing, but the bottom line is we have to go out there and do it. We can talk about it all we want, but the bottom line is as players we all know how to play the game, we know how to play it the right way, we just have to go do it."

Tampa Bay coach Barry Melrose said it's not as simple as looking for better effort, whether it's coming from one guy or all 19 on the ice on a given night.

"There's a lot of things we have to fix, we're losing," he said. "Getting shut out, and we've had trouble scoring all season long, and that's got to change."

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT