Kolzig Error Gives Islanders Win

AP Photo

Islanders goalie Joey MacDonald stops a shot from Lightning left wing Ryan Malone during the second period of Thursday night's game, a New York overtime victory

By ERIK ERLENDSSON | eerlendsson@tampatrib.com
Published: October 17, 2008
Updated: October 17, 2008 - 4:13 AM

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TAMPA --

Although plenty of positives came out of Thursday's Lightning game, the result was still a negative.

Tampa Bay erased two third-period deficits only to come away with a 4-3 overtime loss, the team's fourth consecutive one-goal loss to start the season, when Trent Hunter scored his second goal of the game following an Olie Kolzig turnover behind the net. The Lightning's 0-2-2 start is the worst since 1998-99, when Tampa Bay began with an 0-4-1 record.

The Lightning trailed 2-0 entering the third period and could have wilted when less than two minutes after Vinny Prospal tied the game Hunter regained the lead at 13:51. But Ryan Malone scored his first in a Lightning uniform at 14:57 to send the game to overtime.

"There was energy on the bench and there was passion on the bench," Lightning coach Barry Melrose said. "That's the effort we have to have for 60 minutes, then we'll like the results."

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