The penalties were still aplenty on Wednesday night, but the outcome was certainly better for the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2nd half of a back-to-back with the Carolina Hurricanes. The Bolts opened up the scoring just over 6 minutes into the game and never trailed. Adam Erne scored for the 2nd time in as many game and the man who was acquired in the Drouin trade, Mikhail Sergachev scored as Tampa Bay topped the Canes, 4-3.
Adam Erne’s hot play continued from Tuesday night early on. Erne got it past Cam Ward for the early lead. The Bolts found themselves in penalty trouble again and the Canes took advantage. Lucas Wallmark tied the game with a 5-on-3 power play goal. The Lightning entered the 2nd period tied, but took control of the game in the period. Tye McGinn and Mikhail Sergachev both scored in the 1st 5 minutes of the period to get themselves some breathing room. Derek Ryan would cut the lead to 1 going into the final period, but Tampa Bay wasn’t going to go 0-2 against their foes from North Carolina. Boris Katchouk scored just past the halfway mark of the period to really put the game out of reach. Carolina scored late to cut the lead to 1, but it was too little, too late and the Bolts scored their 1st win of the preseason.
The Bolts will have Thursday night off before returning home on Friday. The Lightning will face the defending Western Conference champion, Nashville Predators. The puck is scheduled to drop at 7:30. Pregame coverage will begin 30 minutes prior up the dial on our sister station News Radio 970 WFLA.