In light of the recent injury to Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jason Garrison, the Lightning has recalled defenseman Slater Koekkoek from the Syracuse Crunch.
The season may be quickly coming to an end, but the Tampa Bay Lightning still can’t seem to catch a break when it comes to player injuries. As if it wasn’t enough the Lightning is still short two forwards thanks to the epic battle between the Lightning and the Minnesota Wild which resulted in injuries to three Lightning forwards, the Lightning lost a big piece of their defensive puzzle on Thursday night against the Boston Bruins.
Early in the second period, Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Jason Garrison was attempting to play the puck behind the net. Unfortunately, when he took a hit from behind, he took an awkward fall where it seemed as if his right leg got caught up underneath him. Almost immediately, you could tell he was in a lot of pain.
Unfortunately, after being evaluated on the ice by Lightning Head Athletic Trainer Tom Mulligan, Jason Garrison had to be helped off the ice by teammates Anton Stralman and Brayden Point. Little did fans know at the time, Garrison’s trip down the tunnel would be the last time he would be seen on the ice.
Tampa Bay Lightning
Before the start of the third period, it was announced Garrison had suffered a Lower-Body Injury and would not be returning to the game. Considering the Lightning had to take the ice once again just 24 hours later, it was pretty clear a move would need to be made. The question at this point was who would get the call?
Well, it didn’t take the Lightning long to come back with an answer. The next day, the Lightning would recall defenseman Slater Koekkoek from the Syracuse Crunch. This is the moment many Lightning fans had been waiting for. Unfortunately, these were not the circumstances in which they had hoped this would occur.
Slater Koekkoek has been a tremendous asset to not only the Syracuse Crunch but the Tampa Bay Lightning as well. In the 29 games he’s played with the Lightning this season, he has not only showed off his tremendous defensive skill by using his size to make the big hits and break up plays, but he has also shined offensively.
Over the course of the aforementioned 29 games Koekkoek has suited up for, he has netted four assists. Granted, he hasn’t quite reached Victor Hedman status yet, but he is definitely on his way.
As for the time he’s spent with the Syracuse Crunch, the 23-year-old defenseman has brought home two goals and nine assists for a total of 11 points in a total of 40 games. Again, these may not be Hedman-esque stats, but Koekkoek is definitely developing into one dangerous defenseman.
Now that we know which defenseman would get the call to make their way to the Bolts Nation, the question on the top of everyone’s mind is whether or not Koekkoek will actually see any ice time. Unfortunately, this is something which may not be known right up until game time.
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In any case, the Tampa Bay Lightning has a tough challenge in front of them tonight. There is definitely no love lost between the Lightning and the Detroit Red Wings. Needless to say, anything can happen when these two teams take the ice. Hopefully, the Lightning can keep momentum on their side and pick up a much-needed two points.