Lightning Defender Scores First NHL Point

Sam Belton

Jan 25, 2024, 19:02

Sam Belton

Jan 25, 2024, 19:02

In his fifth NHL game ever, Crozier assisted the first goal to help them defeat the Philadelphia Flyers.

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports - Lightning Defender Scores First NHL Point

Tuesday was a historic night for the 23-year-old rookie, whose shot attempt was deflected off Brayden Point's stick, marking Crozier's first NHL assist and point.

The puck was close to going in, and Point's deflection sealed the deal.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_XtHP6wmAw[/embed]

Not even two weeks ago, Crozier made his NHL debut this season in the Lightning's Jan. 13 5-1 win against the Anaheim Ducks, recording a block and takeaway.

He has a 2-year, $1.850M contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning, signed on March 21, 2023.

In a first-intermission interview with Ball y S ports Sun, a Florida-based sports network, Crozier said he is getting more comfortable in the NHL.

"I just tried to get the puck to the net, and I thought I was going to miss the net but Point made a great deflection there and it's lucky it went in," he said.

"I'm getting more comfortable every single game. It's really easy playing with Lilleberg, [we] play really well together. And yeah, [I'm] just hoping to keep on getting better every shift," he added.

He also praised his team for their offensive performance in the first period.

"I thought we broke out the puck really well, and we got some speed going through the neutral zone and played good, hard hockey in the other zone," Brozier said.

Ultimately, the Lightning won 6-3, scoring two goals in each period. The Flyers only matched the Lightning's scoring once, scoring two goals in the second period and one in the third.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CRzNE3oZtg[/embed]

When Crozier was recalled by the Tampa Bay Lightning from the AHL's Syracuse Crunch, he was the top rookie defenseman for the Crunch, at one goal and six assists in 25 games.

Also recalled from the Crunch were 26-year-old Canadian defenseman Philippe Myers, who has skated in five games with the Lightning this season and 158 NHL games in total, and 25-year-old Finn centreman Walterri Merela, who has skated in 17 games with the Lightning this season.

Crozier had a total time of 14:03 on the ice, which is the second-most amount of time in his five NHL games.

His point helped secure the Lightning their seventh win in the past 10 games, and their offense that is at an average of 3.80 goals scored per game in the same time.

The Lightning remain in fourth in the Eastern Conference. They sit in their top wild card spot with a record of 25-18-5, and 55 points.

Despite the loss, the Flyers remain in a playoff position, sitting in third place in the Metropolitan Division, with a record of 25-17-6.