Beech, Kevin

Erik Erlendsson blogs on who the Lightning will and won't qualify before July 1st according to Jay Feaster. Note: this isn't a complete list.

IN: Paul Ranger, Ryan Craig, Karl Stewart, Mike Egener, Mitch Fritz

OUT: Doug Janik, Brady Greco, John Toffey, Morgan Cey, Adam Henrich

Analysis on the flip.

Everett Silvertips defenseman Dane Crowley was not taken by the Edmonton Oil Kings in Tuesday's WHL expansion draft. The Everett Daily Herald had speculated early Tuesday that Crowley may be left unprotected. Tips General Manager Doug Soetaert was debating over whether to protect his potential professionals - Phoenix first rounder Peter Mueller and Crowley. Mueller, who signed an NHL contract last fall, can only play in the NHL with Phoenix or in the WHL - so he was to be protected. The paper considered Crowley an "even-odds bet to play professionally" next year. At 20 years of age, Crowley can play in the minor leagues.

It's a good thing this season is about over. Otherwise, I think mild mannered Steve Stirling might be prone to choke some of these players.

MAN-7
SPR-0

Jonathan Boutin allowed 5 goals on 26 shots before being pulled for Kevin Beech who allowed 2 goals on 9 shots the rest of the way. Manchester scored a remarkable 6 power play goals in the game going 6 for 12 on the man advantage.

First Period
MCH Nolan, (2) (Tukonen, O'Sullivan), 10:38 (PP)
MCH O'Sullivan, (18) (Likens, Moulson), 13:32 (PP)

Second Period
MCH Lewis, (3) (Kemp, Fukufuji), 2:36 (PP)
MCH Lewis, (4) (O'Sullivan, Kemp), 11:11 (PP)
MCH Kanko, (11) (Mormina, Crosty), 13:38

Third Period
MCH Westgarth, (1) (Giuliano, Kanko), 2:29 (PP)
MCH Zeiler, (12) (Tukonen, O'Sullivan), 4:24 (PP)

Game sheet from TheAHL.com.

I'll say it again: the Lightning need to make sure to take David Spina with them to Norfolk.

SPR-4
MAN-6

Jonathan Boutin allowed 3 goals on 14 shots before being pulled for Kevin Beech who allowed 3 on 33 shots to take the backdoor loss. David Spina and Norm Milley each had 2 goals in the game. Veterans Kyle Wanvig, Daniel Corso and Eric Healey each had 2 assists. Jacob Micflikier and Nick Kuiper added individual helpers.

Spina now has 15 goals and 35 points in 71 games this season. Over the last 11 games Spina has 7 goals and 13 points including 4 multi-point games. This comes at a time when Steve Stirling has chastized some of his players for simply going through the motions down the stretch of an otherwise lost season. Spina has now spent over 1-1/2 years playing in the Lightning's system in Springfield after being signed as an ATO midway through last season. His speed and his character have made him the rare success story among minor league players adjusting to the Lightning's style of play. Tampa has invested too much time in developing Spina not to take him to Norfolk.

First Period
SPR Milley, (25) (Corso, Healey), 5:00
MCH Kanko, (10) (Ryan, Giuliano), 5:20
MCH Harrold, (7) (Clarke, Murray), 8:21 (PP)
MCH Jackman, (18) (Schmidt), 16:28
SPR Spina, (14) (Wanvig, Micflikier), 19:24

Second Period
SPR Milley, (26) (Healey, Corso), 2:35 (PP)
MCH Jackman, (19) (Murray, Clarke), 6:07 (PP)
MCH Likens, (2) (Murray, Westgarth), 15:34

Third Period
MCH Likens, (3) (Ryan, Lewis), 10:53
SPR Spina, (15) (Kuiper, Wanvig), 15:58

Game sheet from TheAHL.com.

Backbreaking finish.

SPR-2
POR-3

Kevin Beech allowed 3 goals on 32 shots for the loss in his first AHL start. Beech surrendered Portland's winning goal with just 43 seconds left in regulation. Kyle Wanvig and David Spina had the Falcons goals. Eric Healey, Nick Kuiper and Adam Henrich added assists.

First Period
POR Ryan, (1) (Salcido, Weinrich), 4:28 (PP)
POR Miller, (14) (Blanchard, Carter), 10:57 (PP)

Second Period
SPR Wanvig, (19) (Healey, Kuiper), 18:00 (PP)

Third Period
SPR Spina, (13) (Henrich), 16:11
POR Wilson, (7) (Motzko, Carter), 19:17

Game sheet from TheAHL.com.