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Jonathan Drouin impresses bosses in AHL

 
Forward Jonathan Drouin, in the preseason, had two assists in AHL Syracuse’s 4-2 win over Binghamton on Saturday.
Forward Jonathan Drouin, in the preseason, had two assists in AHL Syracuse’s 4-2 win over Binghamton on Saturday.
Published Oct. 19, 2014

VANCOUVER — Touted LW prospect Jonathan Drouin couldn't have scripted his pro debut much better.

Drouin, 19, in his first game in a conditioning assignment for AHL Syracuse, scored the winning goal and was plus-3 in a 3-2 victory against Springfield on Friday.

"Coming in and to get the game winner is something special," Drouin, coming back from a fractured right thumb, told reporters after the game. "I just want to be ready when (the Lightning) call me back up.''

Coach Jon Cooper watched Drouin's goal. Drouin poked the puck away from a defenseman at his blue line, cruised up the left side and ripped a wrist shot in.

"It always brings a smile to a coach's face when you see that," Cooper said Saturday before the Lightning's late game against the Canucks.

Drouin also created a couple of turnovers in the defensive end.

"(Drouin) was a threat in the offensive zone pretty consistently throughout," assistant GM Julien BriseBois wrote in a text message.

"Controlled the play in the (offensive zone). Very good way to start."

In Saturday's 4-2 Syracuse win over Binghamton, Drouin had two assists — on the first and last goals — and seven shots, and was plus-1.

But as well as Drouin is playing, the Lightning's plan for him hasn't changed. He's still likely to play for the Crunch through next weekend before rejoining Tampa Bay.

Cooper did say there was a chance the stint would be less than the maximum of two weeks. For Drouin, who missed training camp, this is his preseason.

GETTING CLOSE: D Radko Gudas, who missed his second straight game due to a lower-body injury, was encouraged after skating on his own before Saturday's morning skate and hoped to return to the lineup Monday against the Oilers.

Gudas said the injury has nagged him since training camp and got worse Monday. If all goes well, he'll participate in today's practice in Edmonton.

"It's not anything major," Gudas said. "Just take a couple days off and make sure everything is gone."

WAITING GAME: D Mark Barberio was a healthy scratch for the fifth straight game. He said it's tough, but his experience being in and out of the lineup last season is helping him handle this situation better.

"Obviously I want to be in every night," Barberio said. "I went through it last year, so I think I've been more prepared for it, and mentally my state is a lot better than last year.

"Last year I was kind of asking myself a lot of questions. This year I'm just waiting for my chance and staying ready."

FAMILY TIES: Other than playing in front of a dozen family and friends against his favorite childhood team Saturday, RW Brett Connolly was also happy he got to watch his younger brother, Josh, 19, play Friday night in Vancouver for the WHL's Kamloops Blazers.

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"It worked out perfect," Brett said.

Cooper, from Prince George, British Columbia, had his parents and brother at the Lightning game. D Eric Brewer, from Vernon in the province, said his parents went.

ICE CHIPS: Former Lightning RW Richard Panik, claimed off waivers by the Maple Leafs this month, was a minus-2 in his first four games with the Maple Leafs.

Contact Joe Smith at joesmith@tampabay.com. Follow @TBTimes_JSmith.