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Namestnikov takes advantage of Lightning callup

 
The Lightning’s Vladislav Namestnikov (90) celebrates his third-period goal, which ends up the winner against the Maple Leafs.
The Lightning’s Vladislav Namestnikov (90) celebrates his third-period goal, which ends up the winner against the Maple Leafs.
Published March 6, 2015

TAMPA — Lightning rookie C Vladislav Namestnikov wasn't expecting Wednesday's callup, brought in on an emergency basis to fill in for injured J.T. Brown.

But whether Namestnikov, 22, is here for just Thursday's game against the Maple Leafs or longer, he was excited for another shot.

"Every time I come up, I want to prove that I belong here," he said. "I'm going to try to contribute more and play my game."

Namestnikov did just that Thursday, scoring the winner in the third period of the 4-2 victory. It was his fourth goal of the season and first since Oct. 30.

On the play, D Andrej Sustr made a great back-door shot from the point that deflected off Namestnikov's skate in front.

"It was great watching him capitalize because he deserved it," coach Jon Cooper said. "He was one of our best forwards (Thursday); he was responsible all over the place."

Namestnikov's presence was necessitated by Brown's upper-body injury, suffered in Tuesday's 3-0 win over the Sabres. Brown practiced Wednesday and participated in Thursday's optional skate, so he could return soon.

It was a bad break for Brown, who had a regular lineup spot open with Monday's trade of RW Brett Connolly.

"(Brown is) banged up," Cooper said. "Nothing long term, serious."

Though Namestnikov has to return to AHL Syracuse once Brown can play — unless Tampa Bay wants to use one of its four post-trade-deadline callups — he'll most likely be back down the stretch.

Namestnikov, a 2011 first-round draft pick, started the season with Tampa Bay, playing 26 games before getting sent down in early December. He has been a key cog for the Crunch with 14 goals and 35 points in 34 games.

"He's been having an exceptional year down in the minors, and you need to have depth, and Vladdy is depth for us, for sure,'' Cooper said. "You can make an argument that he should be playing with us right now because he is an NHL player, and I think he's going to find time with us down the stretch here as we move forward and try to battle our way into the playoffs.''

LINING UP: G Ben Bishop started. D Nikita Nesterov returned to the lineup, and D Mark Barberio was also scratched.

WELL TRAVELED: It has been a crazy year for former Lightning D Eric Brewer, who was traded Monday for the second time in three months. Brewer, 35, started the season with Tampa Bay and was shipped to Anaheim in late November before joining Toronto at Monday's deadline.

"Didn't see this one coming," he said.

Brewer said it has been a tough adjustment for him and his family.

"I think it's just the uncertainty, the unknown," he said. "You always have a false sense of security. This has been a bit of reality, in that sense. I've always been in a place for a long stretch of time — Tampa for four years, St. Louis for six years, Edmonton five years. You're living there, and all of a sudden, 'Boom, boom, boom.' "

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Ice chips: C Steven Stamkos extended his points streak to four games with a pair of assists. … Lightning in-game feature reporter Michelle Gingras joined the Sun Sports broadcast team starting Thursday, filling the role vacated by Kelly Nash, who is pursuing other opportunities.