Ashton gets first pro goal

A week ago, Lightning first-round pick LW Carter Ashton was closing out his junior career as the Regina Pats missed out on the Western Hockey League playoffs. Friday, Ashton was celebrating his first goal as a pro.

The 18-year-old from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, joined the Norfolk Admirals - Tampa Bay's top farm team in the American Hockey League - on Wednesday when he made his debut, along with 2009 second-round pick Richard Panik, who joined Norfolk on an amateur tryout contract. Two nights later he notched his first goal against Adirondack in a manner that might bring a smile to the face of Lightning coach Rick Tocchet.

"It was a pretty simple play, actually," Ashton said. "Panik went wide with the puck on the play so I went toward the net, he sent the puck that way, I had a loose stick and was able to tap it in. I was pretty excited, and it was pretty funny because Panik said just before we took that shift that he wanted to get one, and he hasn't said a whole lot to me since we've been here. So we were both celebrated that one."

After being selected 29th overall in the 2009 draft, Ashton made an impression in training camp, sticking around long enough to get in three preseason games and earn a pro contract, which will kick in next season.

Following a disappointing final junior season, in which he finished with 25 goals between Lethbridge and Regina, five fewer than his previous season, Ashton is now looking forward to helping Norfolk reach the playoffs for the first time in three years.

Although there have been some internal discussions about bringing Ashton up for a look with the Lightning, he said that's not on his mind right now.

"To me, (making his NHL debut) is a long way away," he said. "I'm one of the youngest guys here and I've learned a lot from the guys here already. I'm focused on helping here right now."

Tanguay sits

LW Alex Tanguay was a healthy scratch Saturday, the second time this season he has sat out.

Tanguay was signed to a one-year, $2.5 million free agent contract that many believed was a key part of a potential turnaround for the Lightning. But things have not gone well for Tanguay, who has nine goals and 34 points in 69 games this season. His previous career low came last year when he had 41 points in 50 games.

In his past 21 games, Tanguay has one goal including zero in the past 14, and has seven points in his past 22 games.

Nuts and bolts

LW Stephane Veilleux, a big tennis fan, will attempt to return five serves from Andy Roddick during Monday's Tampa Tennis Classic hosted by Jim Courier. ... D David Hale returned to the lineup after missing 13 games with a broken bone in his leg. ... C Zenon Konopka was back after missing seven games with back spasms. He went at it with Scott Walker for his lead-leading 25th fight of the season. ... C Vinny Lecavalier has goals in six of the past nine games.

Erik Erlendsson