Connolly, Brett

Despite the setback, the Lightning have proven they are back when it comes to drafting quality prospects.

TB-3
CAR-4 (OT)

Jaroslav Janus allowed 4 goals on 34 shots in the overtime loss.

First Period
TB - Butcher (Marks, Zahn) 5:42
CAR - Kennedy (PP) (Skinner, Caria) 17:59

Second Period
TB - Butcher (PP) (Janosik, Tyrell) 2:14
CAR - Shugg (Caria) 18:27

Third Period
CAR - Staal (unassisted) 7:47
TB - Wright (Connolly) 11:27

Overtime
CAR - Skinner (Dalpe) 3:36

The Lightning finished 2-1-1 in the four games they played in the tournament. James Wright finished tied for third in the tournament in scoring with 6 points, just 1 point back of Carolina's Jeff Skinner and the Rangers' Derek Stepan. The centerman had 3 goals and was +4 in 4 games. Brett Connolly finished tied for eighth in scoring with 4 points, including 2 goals.

Full Lightning tournament statistics are available here.

Box score from Pointstreak.

Panik wakes up from his game one slumber.

TB-4
DET-3 (SO)

Jarsolav Janus stopped 40 of 43 shots in regulation and overtime before stopping 14 of 16 shooters in the marathon penalty shot session for the win.

First Period
TB - Panik (Wright, Zahn) 4:23
DET - Coetzee (Tatar) 5:56

Second Period
TB - Tyrell (Marks) 3:09
TB - Wright (Connolly) 7:26

Third Period
DET - Tatar (PP) (Macek, Ferraro) 2:46
DET - Parkes (Raedeke) 3:27

Overtime
NO SCORING

Shootout
TB - Panik, Panik, Butcher
DET - Smith, Ferraro

Richard Panik had a goal and scored two of the Lightning's three goals in the shootout. The Lightning's unlikely hero was tournament tryout and former Canucks draft pick Matt Butcher. Dana Tyrell also emerged to score his first goal of the tournament.

Two games in, Brett Connolly and James Wright are tied with several others for second in the tournament in scoring with 3 points each.

The Lightning will face Dallas' prospects in the final game of the round robin phase. They may end up facing 2010 first round pick Jack Campbell in the process, with the stakes being a spot in the knock-out round.

Box score from Pointstreak.

The Lightning's 2010 1st round pick Brett Connolly tallied a first period and a third period goal in a 4-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues in the opening game of the 2010 Traverse City prospects tournament Saturday night. Connolly's first period tally was assisted by 2009 1st round pick Carter Ashton, as he and Connolly combined for 10 of Tampa's 26 shots on goal. James Wright and Mark Barberio assisted on Connolly's 3rd period marker with Wright sporting a team high +2 along with 3 shots of his own. 2010 3rd rounder Brock Beukeboom was the only other Lightning plus player in the game.

Dustin Tokarski stopped 31 of 34 shots in the loss. Radko Gudas had a huge hit in the 3rd period, while Teigan Zahn dropped the gloves for a 1st period bout against Cody Beach. Of the free agent invitees, forward Andrew Agozzino rang up 3 shots on goal.

Boxscore provided by Pointstreak

(HockeyProspect.com) Whether the game be played at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, or at the Ice Sports Palace Sibir in Russia, many young and talented hockey players looking to enter North American professional hockey acknowledge the pressure that hangs on their draft year.

The 2010 NHL Entry Draft was no exception, as many players from all over the world came together in Los Angeles just after taking part in their draft year.

Brett Connolly of the Prince George Cougars was no exception.

To read this interview, including Connolly's thoughts on being drafted, his immediate future, and Lightning Director of Player Personnel Jim Hammett's thoughts on the pick and Connolly's health, see HockeyProspect.com by clicking here.

The Lightning have assembled a preliminary roster for the upcoming prospects camp July 10-14 at the St. Pete Times Forum. The following roster, courtesy of Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune, includes at least three goaltenders, 12 defensemen and 17 forwards. All 2010 draft choices will be participating.