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Stamkos sets mark, but Bolts lose

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

eerlendsson@tampatrib.com

Published: April 9, 2009

TAMPA - Steven Stamkos began his rookie NHL season thousands of miles away across the Atlantic Ocean when the Lightning opened the year in the Czech Republic. His game seems to come just as far since that time.

Stamkos put his name in the Tampa Bay record book Thursday night in the Lightning's 4-2 loss to Washington.

With his 22nd goal of the season, which came on the opening shift 36 seconds into the game, Stamkos set a franchise record for goals in a season by a rookie. Stamkos shared the record with Brad Richards, who scored 21 goals during the 2000-01 season.

"The way things started at the beginning, to say I accomplished that is pretty cool, especially in your first year, coming to an organization and you set a record," Stamkos said. "Then to be able to do it on home ice in front of the fans who have supported us through tough times this year. But the record will probably be something I look back on this summer and think more highly of it."

Through the first half of the season, getting to 20 goals seemed a tall order. But since Jan. 12, Stamkos has scored 18 goals and added 30 points in 37 games, fulfilling the lofty expectations placed on him.

"You talk about a guy that had a terrible start, can you imagine if he continues the way he's played the last two months and starts that way," Lightning interim coach Rick Tocchet said. "When he's himself like the way he has been the past two months, that's when he's at his best."

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