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Tampa Bay Lightning Re-Assign Cory Conacher To Syracuse Crunch

By Tasha St. Pierre

Dec 22, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Cory Conacher (19) skates with the puck as St. Louis Blues right wing Ryan Reaves (75) defends during the third period at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the St. Louis Blues 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Cory Conacher (19) skates with the puck as St. Louis Blues right wing Ryan Reaves (75) defends during the third period at Amalie Arena. Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the St. Louis Blues 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Tampa Bay Lightning has re-assigned forward Cory Conacher to the Syracuse Crunch following the team’s disappointing 3-2 loss to the Calgary Flames.

The Tampa Bay Lightning had been riding a serious high as of late, bringing home points in their last seven games straight. Unfortunately, everything came crashing down to the ground last night when the Bolts were defeated 3-2 by the Calgary Flames at the Amalie Arena in Tampa.

There were many things last night’s loss could be attributed to, so it’s relatively difficult to put your finger on an exact cause; however, there is one thing that definitely didn’t help the situation much; the absence of Lightning forward Jonathan Drouin.

As most people know by now, Jonathan Drouin did not take part in last night’s game due to the residual effects of the nasty flu bug which has been making its pesky little way around the Lightning locker room as of late. In Drouin’s place last night was Lightning forward Cory Conacher.

Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning /

Tampa Bay Lightning

Cory Conacher must have some serious airline miles build up this season. He seems to be the go-to player to make the trip from Syracuse to wherever the Lightning may be when an injury or illness comes knocking on their door. Truth be told, if there was room on the team, Conacher may very well be on the main roster.

Unfortunately for Conacher, the Lightning now has three days off before they are set to take the ice once again. One could easily imagine this would be enough time for Jonathan Drouin to emerge victoriously over what ails him and return to the Lightning lineup. Now, another decision has to be made.

Tampa Bay Lightning Vice President and General Manager Steve Yzerman announced earlier today in a press release on the Lightning’s official site the team has officially re-assigned Cory Conacher to the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch.

Conacher has definitely accumulated a lot of airline miles this season. Unfortunately, the one thing he hasn’t accumulated (at least while in the Lightning lineup) is a significant amount of points. In the eight games he’s played with the Bolts this season, he’s scored a goal and an assist for a total of two points.

When you look at Conacher’s numbers as a member of the Syracuse Crunch lineup, you see a much different story. In the 42 games he’s played with the Crunch this season, the 27-year-old forward has brought home 12 goals and 32 assists for a total of 44 points. These numbers place Cory Conacher in first place on the team in both assists and overall points.

There is still a lot of hockey to be played this season; however, the door is quickly closing on the Tampa Bay Lightning’s playoff hopes. This is not to say the Lightning don’t have a chance of making it, because at this point they absolutely do.

It is, however, to say if the Lightning wants to find themselves in the postseason, every single point matters and they don’t have the luxury of taking their feet off the gas.

Next: Ryan Callahan Out Indefinitely Following Follow-Up Surgery

Given the Lightning’s propensity for injuries and/or illnesses this season, this will probably not be the last time Lightning fans will see Cory Conacher in the Lightning lineup. Hopefully, the next time he gets his opportunity, he is able to convert some of his AHL success into some NHL success.

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