The Tampa Bay Lightning will boast at least five prospects at this year's U-20 World Junior Championships as Slovakia has announced the inclusion of three Lightning prospects on their tournament roster: Stanislav Lascek, Marek Bartanus and Vladamir Mihalik.

Lascek is a returning member of the Slovakian U-20 team after posting 1 goal and 1 assist for 2 points and a +1 rating for Slovakia in last year's tournament. A member of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens of the QMJHL, Lascek currently leads that league in scoring with 22 goals and 73 points in 34 games this season. The left winger barely makes the age cut off for the tournament as he will turn 20 early next month.

Making his first appearance at the U-20 tournament will be right wing Marek Bartanus. The 2005 4th round pick has struggled offensively this season with the Owen Sound Attack of the OHL posting a meager 1 goal and 4 points in 28 games with an attrotious -16 rating for the season. Last year with Slovakia's U-18 team Bartanus had 1 goal, 2 points and a -2 rating in 6 games.

Also making his first U-20 appearance is mammoth defenseman Vladamir Mihalik. A member of the Red Deer Rebels of the WHL, Mihalik has 2 goals and 8 points with a -9 rating in 32 games this season. Last year for Slovakia at the U-18 tournament, the 2005 1st round pick was scoreless with a +2 rating in 6 games.

Slovakia's first game is scheduled for December 27th against Latvia in Kelowna.

The following are the official statistics for Lightning prospects playing within the Canadian Hockey League as of December 12, 2005. Leading the way are Stan Lascek, who’s first in the QMJHL in scoring, Radek Smolenak, who's in the OHL's top-20, and Justin Keller and Blair Jones, both of whom are among WHL scoring leaders.

Stanislav Lascek, RW, Chicoutimi (QMJHL): 34GP, 22-51-73, 54PIM (+24)
Radek Smolenak, LW, Kingston (OHL): 30GP, 19-24-43, 52PIM (Even)
Justin Keller, RW, Kelowna (WHL): 30GP, 21-17-38, 24PIM (+7)
Blair Jones, C, Moose Jaw (WHL): 33GP, 16-19-27, 35PIM (Even)
Mark Tobin, LW, Rimouski (QMJHL): 32GP, 12-11-23, 55PIM (-33)

After an excellent start, Morgan Cey has run into some difficulty in his rookie season.

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Cey suffers his second straight shelling allowing 7 goals on 43 shots faced. Justin Kelly assisted on Joe Tallari's goal, the lone Chief marker of the afternoon.

Post mortem from ECHL.com.

It was only a matter of time until the Craig/Jaspers duo sprang to life. Sorry Manchester, you drew the short straw.

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Gerald Coleman got the win despite allowing 4 goals on 29 shots faced. Jason Jaspers and Ryan Craig exploded with 2 goals and 2 assists each. Cagey veterans Anders Eriksson and Norm Milley each had 2 helpers a piece. Springfield remains in 6th place in the AHL's Eastern Conference with a 14-9-1-3 record on the year.

Game sheet from TheAHL.com.