Controversial goal sends Lightning to overtime defeat

by Erik Erlendsson | @Erik_Erlendsson | Like us on Facebook
December 4, 2016

Sometimes, a loss feels like a win.

Well, maybe not like a victory, but in the loss, it feels like something was gained.

That’s how Tampa Bay’s 1-0 overtime loss at Carolina on Sunday can be viewed.

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Sure, there was no victory to be had when Phil Di Giuseppe scored 1:26 in to overtime on a controversial goal.

But the Lightning finished off a grueling stretch in their schedule on a positive note. A fatigued team, having played less than 24 hours before, found a way to defend well and get the game to overtime and earn at least a point.

Considering the four-game losing streak that started the week, to end the weekend with three out of four points must feel like a victory in its own right.

“Guys are battling, but we’re playing two games in less than 24 hours and you could tell the guys were tired,’’ Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said.

After playing 14 games in a span of 25 days, Tampa Bay will not have three days before hosting Vancouver on Thursday.

The break will be welcome by a Lightning team that is nursing a handful of injuries – that we are aware of – with Jonathan Drouin the latest to join that list as a late scratch with an undisclosed injury, which was announced by the team during pregame warmups.

They could have certainly used Drouin on Sunday after being shutout for the second time this season.

Tampa Bay had chances to get on the board, getting five power play chances against a normally disciplined Carolina team. Two of those chances came late in the third period, which included 21 seconds of a two-man advantage, which the Lightning were unable to capitalize on.

That would send the game to overtime, where the Hurricanes would end the game in a bit of a controversial manner on an otherwise harmless looking play.

As Di Giusseppe came off the right boards and skated through the circle, Viktor Stalberg cut to the net from the end boards to create a screen in front of Ben Bishop. On his way through the crease, Stalberg appeared to clip Bishop’s stick just before the puck went through Bishop’s pads for the winning goal.

The play was reviewed by the officiating crew, but stood up to give the Hurricanes the extra point.
Cooper was not happy the play was allowed to stand.

“It’s called incidental contact,’’ Cooper said. “He kicks the stick between Bishop’s legs, and the puck goes right there. He wasn’t given a chance to make the save. He didn’t. I’m blown away.’’

Cooper continued, “Once they make the call, there are no take bakes. But I’m just mystified. I don’t get it.’’

Postgame notes: D Jason Garrison missed his second consecutive game with a lower body injury. … With Drouin out with injury, J.T. Brown returned to the lineup after being scratched on Saturday against Washington. … Tampa Bay fell to 2-2 in overtime/shootouts on the season. … The Lightning are 1-1-1 in the second half of back-to-back games. … Tampa Bay was credited with nine takeaways while the Hurricanes had 13 giveaways. … D Victor Hedman led all Lightning players with five shots on goal and seven shot attempts. … Tampa Bay played back-to-back overtime games for the first time since play three in a row from Oct. 20-24, 2015, when the Lightning lost two in overtime and one in a shootout.

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