Helenius, Riku

Lightning prospect goaltender Riku Helenius stopped 44 of 46 shots and then 3 of 3 in the shootout to lead the Augusta Lynx to their first win of the season. It was Helenius' first professional win in his first pro start, earning him second star honors for the game. Former Lightning defensive prospect Art Femenella was the game's first star for his game-winning shootout goal.

The Lynx got regulation goals from their top guys Matt Auffrey and Aaron Slattengren, who also scored shootout goals with Femenella. Kevin Quick was pointless for his third game, and finished even with 2 shots and 2 PIMs.

Augusta 3 @ Gwinnett 2 SO
G Riku Helenius: 2 GA; 65 MIN; 46 SH; 44 SV; Second Star
D Kevin Quick: 0-0-0; Even; 2 PIM; 2 SOG

Augusta resumes its road trip this weekend for a 3-in-3 at Elira and Reading.

Augusta failed in a comeback attempt in Charleston tonight against the South Carolina Stingrays. After falling behind 3-0, Augusta twice pulled within a goal before falling short 5-3 in their second game of the season. Lightning prospect netminder Riku Helenius again did not play, with Joel Martin stopping 33 of 38 shots. Kevin Quick, who started again tonight, was pointless and finished -1 with 2 shots.

Augusta 3 @ South Carolina 5
G Riku Helenius: did not play
D Kevin Quick: 0-0-0; -1; 0 PIM; 2 SOG

Augusta drops its 2008-09 season opener to Tampa's former ECHL affiliate. Recently assigned goaltender Riku Helenius did not play. Joel Martin allowed 4 goals on only 18 shots. Kevin Quick, who started on the blueline paired with newly acquired defenseman Brock Wilson, was held pointless and -2 with 3 shots.

Mississippi 4 @ August 2
G Riku Helenius: did not play
D Kevin Quick: 0-0-0; -2; 0 PIM; 3 SOG

Former Lightning goaltending prospect Ryan Munce, who signed with Mississippi as a free agent, stopped 39 of 41 Augusta shots enroute to second star honors. Munce picks up where he left off last season as the Sea Wolves goalie. Augusta continues its season Saturday night on the road against the South Carolina Stingrays.

According to a report in the Augusta Chronicle, the Tampa Bay Lightning have reassigned goaltending prospect and 2006 1st round pick Riku Helenius from the AHL's Norfolk Admirals to the ECHL's Augusta Lynx. This move was not unexpected as Helenius had been a healthy scratch for both of Norfolk's season opening games last weekend behind goaltenders Karri Ramo and Mike McKenna.

Helenius joins Tampa defensive prospect Kevin Quick who was reassigned last week, and the Lynx expect Helenius' arrival by as early as noon on Thursday. The Lynx open their 2008-09 season at home Friday night against the Mississippi Sea Wolves.

This season might prove to be a challenge for the Lynx with a relatively young and inexperienced roster comprised of nine rookies and seven more 2nd year pros. No player on the Lynx roster qualifies as an ECHL veteran of 250 professional games.

Dustin Tokarski records his third shutout in five games this year ... DeCoste with a game winner ... and first star accolades for Mark Barberio and undefeated Moncton.

Erik Erlendsson is reporting the Lightning have made six more cuts: Ty Wishart, Riku Helenius, Paul Szczechura, Wyatt Smith, and Radek Smolenak.

Dana Tyrell was also returned to Prince George of the WHL.

That leaves Matt Smaby, Vladimir Mihalik, and Andrew Hutchinson battling for the seventh job on the blueline, presuming that Janne Niskala has already wrapped up the sixth spot, as it appears.

Mike Morreale, staff writer at NHL.com, has written an article about Lightning goaltending prospect Riku Helenius.

There's some good info in the piece about Riku's work ethic in practice, with some particularly glowing comments from Seattle Thunderbirds teammate Jacob DeSerres. After recently attending Tampa's prospect camp in Victoria, B.C., Helenius' next stop will be the Traverse City Prospects Tournament in Traverse City, MI in early September before the Lightning's training camp opens in Tampa later in the month.

"After sitting out seven months with the shoulder injury, I felt I really played well in Seattle and it was a great year for me," Helenius said. "I also got used to the North American game and the coaches and that was important. I have every intention of earning a spot with Norfolk this coming season." Helenius will face stiff competition for a roster spot in Norfolk from Lightning top goaltending prospect Karri Ramo and Admirals signee Mike McKenna. McKenna, a former Predators draft pick and ECHL MVP runner-up, was one of the AHL's top netminders last season for the Portland Pirates.

The Lightning's prospect camp - its first in years - is set to begin this Sunday, July 27 and run through August 3.

The Victoria News reports 2008 first overall pick Steven Stamkos will indeed be in attendance at the camp, along with several others, including recently acquired defenseman Ty Wishart and former first rounder Riku Helenius.

TampaBayLightning.com released the names of Lightning picks/property on the camp roster (there are 11 others set to attend):

Mitch Fadden notches two assists to help Lethbridge move on to the Conference Finals and an injured Riku Helenius watches as the Thunderbirds end their season.

Results from Sarnia, Lethbridge, and Seattle.