The Tampa Bay Lightning (9-6-2) fell to the Winnipeg Jets (12-8-1) 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at Amalie Arena. The game was a memorable one for the 95.3 WDAE & AM 620 staff, as the "DAE Den" was re-dubbed the "Duemig Den" in the first period in honor of Steve Duemig. The long-time afternoon drive host for WDAE lost his battle with brain cancer in May, and was a loyal and passionate supporter of all sports in Tampa Bay, but especially the Lightning, for whom he worked in several roles during his illustrious career.
After Mathieu Perreault scored a first period goal to give the Jets a 1-0 leaw, the Lightning and WDAE honored our colleague Steve Duemig with a plaque and renaming the iHeartMedia suite in his honor during the final television timeout of the first period. Just moments after the ceremony ended and play resumed, Victor Hedman scored to tie the game 1-1 heading into the first intermission.
In the second period the Jets got goals from Jack Roslovic and Nikolaj Ehlers to take control of the game. In the third period Steven Stamkos scored his 400th career goal to pull the Bolts within 3-2, but Kyle Connor scored in the final two minutes to clinch the game. Though Anthony Cirelli scored at the 19:38 mark, it was too late for the Bolts who lost the game 4-3.
Connor Hellebuyck went 31-for-34 in net for the Jets to pick up the win, while Andrei Vasilevsky went 23-for-26 in net for the Bolts in the losing effort. After the short two game home stand, the Bolts go back on the road for two games which begins Tuesday in St. Louis. Puck drop between the Lightning and Blues is scheduled for 8 PM Tuesday in St. Louis - you can hear the game beginning at 7:30 PM on News Radio WFLA.