Finally, The Bolts played a full 60 min and dominated this game. The Bolts never took their foot off the gas pedal as they took shot after shot and capitalized on PP opportunities. Columbus gave the Bolts way too many chances and could just not stop the Bolts offense. It was an all-around great game for the Bolts as they crushed the Blue Jackets 8-2. Let’s see how we got here period by period.

First Period

The Bolts got off to a fantastic start as just minutes into the game Victor Hedman put one home to give the Bolts a 1-0 lead. The Bolts kept up the pace and were rewarded as Columbus forward Piere-Luc Dubois had to hook Stamkos to prevent a scoring opportunity. The Bolts would once again fail to connect on the power play and Columbus would be back to full strength. Both teams then got a few chances of their own as they went back and forth looking to gain some momentum. With a delayed penalty upcoming, the Bolts were not able to touch the puck and Columbus took advantage, getting in some extra time with the man advantage. The Bolts finally got control and Point would head off for slashing. The Bolts PK would continue to shine through as they once again killed off the penalty. Just as the penalty ended Gourde quickly stole the puck from an unsuspecting Columbus forward and threw it right to Paquette who rifled it home to give the Bolts a 2-0 lead. The Bolts kept up their good pace and would get one more chance on the PP as Lukas Sedlak was given 2 for holding. The Bolts would then finally capitalize on the PP as Gourde found a rebound to put home for a 3-0 lead. Columbus got a few more chances before the period came to a close but it was the Bolts who took a 3-0 lead heading into the second.

Goals: 3-0 Tampa

Shots: 17-5 Tampa

Second Period

Both teams got off to a decent start but Hedman would get called for high-sticking but this one would be a 4-minute double minor. Columbus would get a few shots off during the extended power play but Vasy turned them all away as the Bolts killed it off. Columbus quickly picked things up as they got shot after shot in on Vasy. Columbus’s aggression paid off as they got the Bolts scrambling and then Josh Andersson threw one home to make it a 2 goal game. As Columbus continued to apply pressure, the Bolts didn’t do themselves any favors as Hedman would get called for holding. That didn’t stop the Bolts PK unit though as they once again shut down Columbus. Both teams then went back and forth but it was Columbus who got one in the back of the net. Oliver Bjorkstrand found his own rebound and pulled the Jackets within 1. As time began to wind down, the Bolts were having a hard time entering the zone and getting some quality offensive zone time. That didn’t stop the Bolts as they finally did get into the zone and Brayden Point found the rebound and snapped one into the back of the net to give the Bolts a 4-2 lead. The horn would then sound and the Bolts would take a 4-2 lead into the third.

Goals: 4-2 Tampa

Shots: 25-17 Columbus

Third Period

The Bolts started off the period with a PP as Columbus received a penalty at the end of the second. The Bolts PP finally found its groove as Brayden Point put one in the back of the net to give the Bolts a 5-2 lead. Unfortunately for the Bolts, their momentum would come to a halt as Kuch was called for holding. But that didn’t matter as the Bolts PK came out and did what they do best and killed off the penalty. Cam Atkinson would then head to the box for holding and give the Bolts yet another PP opportunity. The Bolts just kept piling it on as Stamkos fee Killorn who rifled it home to make it 6-2 Bolts. Kucherov then got a huge chance on the breakaway but just couldn’t put it home, however, he did draw a penalty so the Bolts would head to the PP. The Bolts got a few chances including a rocket from Kuch but they would not be able to capitalize and the score remained 6-2 Bolts. The Bolts refused to take their foot off the gas pedal as Kuch put one in the back of the net with ease to make it 7-2. As time began to wind down, things got a little heated as Pierre-Luc Dubois ran into Gourde while he was down and a scrum ensued. After players had calmed down both Gourde and Pierre-Luc Dubois would get 2 for roughing, however, Dubois got an extra 2 giving the Bolts yet another power play. Columbus wasn’t done there though as David Savard was called for slashing that gave the Bolts a short 5 on 3. Just as time wind down Miller was not about to let the Bolts PP percentage wind down, so he threw one on the net an scored with .2 seconds to go! The Bolts would take one last faceoff, and the horn would sound for a massive Lighting victory.

Goals: 8-2 Tampa

Shots: 39-34 Tampa

3 Stars

1. Brayden Point (2G, 1A)
2. JT Miller (1G, 2A)
3. Andrei Vasilevskiy (32SV, 2GA)

Up Next and Final Strike

The Bolts Played a fantastic game tonight as they were firing on all cylinders. The Bolts were quick on pucks, got pucks to the net and were great on special teams. The Bolts PK continues their perfect run, and the power play was vastly improved. The offense never let their foot off the gas which prevented the Jackets from ever getting back in the game. Vasy was also once again stupendous stopping 32 shots out of 34. Things got a little shaky in the second but the Bolts regained it in and got the Job done. Look for the Bolts to continue this success as they get ready for their next game.

The Bolts will look to continue their offensive explosion as they take on the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday, October 16th at 7:30 PM at Amalie Arena.