Tuesday, Feb. 09, 2010

Recap: Tampa Bay vs. Vancouver

Martin St. Louis notched a pair of third-period goals to lead Tampa Bay past Vancouver, 3-1, at St. Pete Times Forum.

Steven Stamkos recorded the other score and picked up an assist for the Lightning, who have won four in a row and seven of nine. Antero Niittymaki got the win with 39 saves.

Ryan Kesler hit the net for the Canucks, who have dropped three of five on their epic 14-game road trip. Roberto Luongo allowed three goals on just 19 shots in defeat.

St. Louis put Tampa ahead on an unassisted, short-handed goal at the 2:52 mark of the third period, then gave the Lightning a two-goal edge with a helper from Stamkos with 4:20 left in regulation.

Luongo was summoned to the bench with more than 2 1/2 minutes to play but the Canucks failed to get even one past Niittymaki.

Stamkos' power-play score gave the Bolts a 1-0 advantage at the eight-minute mark of the first period.

Kesler finally put the Canucks on the board with seven ticks left in the second period and the visitors on a power play.

Game Notes