Tortorella Returns to where he was once Glorious!

Last night John Tortorella returned to where he was once a champion in Tampa Bay with his old team the Lightning. As he said in his pre game interview he had a lot of good memories in Tampa Bay but he was there last night to win a hockey game. He also mentioned he hopes to achieve in New York what he did in Tampa Bay, win a Stanley Cup.

But in his first game coaching against his old team it wouldn't be one to remember. Except for the salute his fans gave him during a TV time out when he was honored for his accomplishments during his seven year stay in the city, including the 2004 trophy as he received a standing ovation.

Well that would be John's only highlight of the night as Tampa Bay was the much better team on the ice. Scoring two goals in the first the second goal Tampa Bay would tally would be with only :35 left to end the period 2-0 Lightning.

The Second period would see the Lightning add two more goals from S. Downie (PPG) and P. Szczechura to build a 4-0 lead on the Rangers. That would be all for Lundquist as Trots made the goalie change and brought in reliever Steve Valiquette. Lundquist allowed four goals on 22 Shots before the pull, but with two tuff games coming up against Pittsburgh the King will have to put this one behind he and move forward.

The Third period would be a draw as the two teams split goals one a piece not before seeing Tampa up 5-0 the Rangers were able to break through Mike Smith's wall after he stopped the first 25 shots. The goal came off of Ryan Callahan's stick with only 2:07 left in the contest to break Smith's bid for the Shut Out.

This is a game the Rangers will want to forget as they get ready for the next two tuff battles in the home and home series against the defending champion Pittsburgh Penguins, Crosby and Malkin oh my. Those two games will be followed by the Sabers.

Tuff stretch coming up for the Rangers and as Gaborik didn't get on the scoreboard the Rangers only supplied a goal. That's two straight game with only scoring a goal in regulation, that's not a positive sign. The next three will be a big test and will be important with the whole Eastern Division battling for position in this tight race.

http://www.puckvideo.com/rangers-2009-10.htm