Joakim Kemell scored twice, but four unanswered goals by Tampa Bay and too many penalties by Nashville sealed the win for the Lightning.
Joakim Kemell scored twice, but four unanswered goals by Tampa Bay and too many penalties by Nashville sealed the win for the Lightning.
Nashville Predators fans got their first look at some of the franchise's top prospects as the team competed in their first game of the Southeast Rookie Showcase in Estero, Florida. The Predators faced off against the Tampa Bay Lightning rookie roster this afternoon. Head coach Karl Taylor opened play with this starting lineup:
Game Recap
Tampa Bay had the early offensive advantage and led 4-1 in shots on goal halfway through the first period, but it was the Predators that had the lead on the scoreboard as an errant Lightning pass bounced past goalie Hugo Alnefelt. Each team had a power play opportunity in the opening period, but Askarov and Alnefelt handled the shorthanded shots they faced. The teams headed into the locker room with Nashville leading by a score of 1-0.
The second period opened with a goal from Joakim Kemell that beat Hugo Alnefelt low blocker side at 1:52 to take a 2-0 lead. Navrin Mutter headed back to the penalty box for a high stick at 6:13, but the Predators' penalty kill and Yaroslav Askarov kept the Lightning off the board for the two minutes. Nashville had their second chance on the power play at 8:59 but could not convert.
Tampa Bay got on the board with a tip in goal at 13:57 and then scored quickly on a power play chance to tie the game late in the second. Luke Evangelista had a breakaway chance but was slashed, and the period ended with Nashville on the delayed penalty.
Austin Elliot, a Nashville camp invitee from the Saskatoon Blades, took his place net in place for Askarov to begin the final period. The Predators began on the power but struggled to establish possession in the offensive zone, and the two minutes passed with no shots on goal for Nashville. Tampa Bay's Joe Carroll gave the Lightning their first lead of the game tapping a pass in net at 2:53.
Egor Afanasyev headed to the penalty box at 7:52 for a hooking call, and Tampa Bay added to their lead with a power play goal at 9:39 to make it 4-2. Nashville finally put together a quality chance with a low pass from Svechkov to Kemell net front, but Alnefelt came up with the highlight reel save.
At 14:15, Jachkym Kondelik went to the penalty box for a hooking call, and Tampa Bay got their fifth power play chance. The penalty kill managed the two minutes and then Tampa Bay returned the favor at 16:38 with a too many men on the ice call. Joakim Kemell quickly scored on a one timer from the circle at 17:06 to make it a one goal game late.
Nashville's late push was interrupted by a penalty committed by Fedor Svechkov at 18:30. Elliot headed to the bench to play five on five with an empty Nashville net. The Predators generated some chances but couldn't score the tying goal, and finished the game with a 4-3 loss.
In the post game shootout, Kemell scored on his shootout chance while Luke Evangelista, Reid Schaefer, Austin Roast, and Fedor Svechkov were stopped. Elliot made two saves and gave up three goals.