Apr 14, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Richard Panik (71) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at the First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Lightning 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Both Panik and Gudas were brought up to the Lightning’s main roster after the team was plagued with a number of injuries during the season.

Richard Panik played in 25 games for the Lightning this season. The 6’1 Martin, Slovakia native scored 5 goals, one being a game winner, and 4 assists in that time for a total of 9 points. While with the Crunch, the right winger played in 51 games, scoring 22 goals and earning 19 assists for a 41 point season; all this to go along with his plus-17 rating.

While with the Bolts this season, Radko Gudas played a total of 21 games netting 2 goals and earning 3 assists for a total of 5 points along with a plus-3 rating. In his time with the Crunch, he played in 57 games, scoring 4 goals and earning 16 assists for a total of 20 points to go with his plus-32 rating.

Apr 14, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Radko Gudas (75) during the game against the Buffalo Sabres at the First Niagara Center. Sabres beat the Lightning 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Gudas also leads the Crunch in penalty minutes with a whopping 207 minutes.

Gudas has made himself a household name since being brought up to the Lightning roster.

In fact, he is probably one of the only players to have a Twitter account dedicated to his beard before joining twitter himself. Hashtags like #FearTheBeard have become commonplace in the Twitterverse.

I assure you, while these two will be sorely missed as the Lightning season comes to a close this Saturday, our pain will not be in vain. The Crunch’s trek through the playoffs, and possibly all the way to the Calder Cup is a great experience for both Gudas and Panik. It will give them the opportunity to play in some high octane games that will help them be ready when the times comes for next season to start.

Will we see either of these young stars on the Lightning’s main roster next season? No one knows for sure. But I can assure you that with the time they are spending with the Crunch, they will certainly be prepared.

The Crunch finished the season ranked third in the Eastern Conference. They will face their first opponents this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Their first series will be against the sixth seeded Portland Pirates, the AHL affiliate of the Phoenix Coyotes.

We here at Bolts By The Bay wish the Syracuse Crunch the best of luck in their quest for the Calder Cup. I assure you that all of us here in the Bolts Nation will be cheering for you. Whether it is in the stands in Syracuse or from the comfort of our living rooms, we will always be your thunder.

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February 24, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Richard Panik (71) skates up ice against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the CONSOL Energy Center. The Pittsburgh Penguins won 5-3. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

This comes in the wake of a number of injuries that the Lightning have sustained lately, most recently to LW Ryan Malone when he has plowed down by center Zac Rinaldo during the Lightning’s matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers on March 18^th.

This may be an indication that Lightning LW Benoit Pouliot may not be as close to returning as everyone had anticipated. Pouliot has been on Injured Reserve since March 3^rd after sustaining an Upper Body Injury during the first period of the meeting between the Lightning and the Boston Bruins on March 2^nd.

Richard Panik has played a total of 51 games for the Crunch this season. He has netted himself 22 goals and earned 19 assists for a total of 41 points so far this season. He has also scored himself a plus-17 rating.

The 6’1 Martin, Slovakia native made his NHL debut on February 12^th as the Lightning faced off with the Montreal Canadiens. He would continue with the Lightning for 8 more games, scoring his first NHL goal on February 23^rd against the Carolina Hurricanes. Panik was reassigned to Syracuse on March 1^st.

Richard Panik was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round, 52^nd overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

What do you think this means for the Lightning’s current lines? Do you think Panik will make a valuable addition to the already supercharged “Syracuse Line”? Sound off in the comments below and let your voice be heard.

Be sure to stay up-to-date with all the latest Lightning news and updates with Bolts By the Bay. LIKE us on Facebook at Bolts By The Bay, and you can follow us on Twitter at @BoltsByTheBay.