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Rookie goalie wins debut for Lightning vs. Flyers

 
Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy skates back to the net following a timeout during Tuesday night's game against the Flyers in Philadelphia. It was Vasilevskiy's first NHL game.
Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy skates back to the net following a timeout during Tuesday night's game against the Flyers in Philadelphia. It was Vasilevskiy's first NHL game.
Published Dec. 17, 2014

PHILADELPHIA — After a surprise call-up and early-morning flight, touted goaltending prospect Andrei Vasilevskiy arrived at the Lightning's hotel just around noon Tuesday.

Coach Jon Cooper greeted him with the news he'd make his NHL debut hours later. How did the 20-year-old Russian react?

"Pause, deep breath, gigantic exhale and then a big smile on his face," Cooper said. "I didn't know how to say it in Russian, and he barely knew how to say it in English. His eyes lit up, it was great."

With his team in a "funk," Cooper hoped Vasilevskiy would provide a spark. And Vasilevskiy did that, making 23 saves to help lift Tampa Bay to a 3-1 win over the Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center. For the Lightning (20-10-3), it was its third victory in its past eight games.

"It was awesome — my childhood dream," Vasilevskiy said. "(Tuesday) I played in the best league in the world. I'm very excited. Best feeling of my life."

Tuesday provided a glimpse into the Lightning's future, with Vasilevskiy in net and rookie wing Jonathan Drouin, on the top line, setting up captain Steven Stamkos for the tying goal with a crafty give-and go.

"We said before the game, "Let's play fast,' " Stamkos said. "He's going to let his skills take over from there."

So did Vasilevskiy, who picked up where he left off last week in Syracuse, where he had back-to-back shutouts in earning AHL player of the week honors. Vasilevskiy, an athletic 6-foot-3 goalie, wasn't tested a ton, but was calm beyond his years both in the locker room and on the ice, Stamkos said.

"This didn't look like it was his first NHL game," Cooper said.

Vasilevskiy, who got the call Monday night after Ben Bishop suffered a lower body injury, said he was nervous early in the day, but a lunchtime talk with veteran — and fellow Russian — Evgeni Nabokov helped.

Vasilevskiy gave up a power-play goal late in the first period when Philadelphia right wing Wayne Simmonds deflected a point shot by defenseman Mark Streit. The Lightning, which hit two posts in the first period, was trailing again.

"We could have said, 'Here we go again,' " Stamkos said.

But the Lightning responded, with Stamkos' 18th goal coming two minutes into the second, and Tyler Johnson putting in a rebound just after a power play ended five minutes later.

"We were a desperate hockey team tonight," Stamkos said. "We came in here having been on a funk and wanted to win."

The Lightning also wanted to win for Vasilevskiy, whom Drouin believes will end up one of the top goalies in the league.

Said Cooper: "This will for sure be a night he'll always remember."

Lightning 0 2 1 3
Flyers 1 0 0 1

First1, Philadelphia, Simmonds 14 (Streit, Giroux), 19:19 (pp). PenaltiesL.Schenn, Phi (roughing), 9:33; Simmonds, Phi (tripping), 13:17; Morrow, TB (hooking), 19:03.

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Second2, Tampa Bay, Stamkos 18 (Drouin, Callahan), 1:50. 3, Tampa Bay, Johnson 10 (Callahan, Kucherov), 6:34. PenaltiesB.Schenn, Phi (tripping), 4:27; Filppula, TB (hooking), 10:43; Drouin, TB (boarding), 13:55.

Third4, Tampa Bay, Filppula 6 (Paquette, Johnson), 19:18 (en). PenaltiesSchultz, Phi (hooking), 7:06. Shots on GoalTampa Bay 7-7-9—23. Philadelphia 10-6-8—24. Power-play opportunitiesTampa Bay 0 of 4; Philadelphia 1 of 3. GoaliesTampa Bay, Vasilevskiy 1-0-0 (24 shots-23 saves). Philadelphia, Mason 6-10-4 (22-20). A19,576 (19,541). T2:26. Referees—Brad Watson, Dean Morton. LinesmenGreg Devorski, Derek Nansen.