News

There may be no hotter playmaker in all of Russia over the past couple of weeks than Lightning prospect Alexei Glukhov. Today, against Lada Togliatti, Glukhov assisted on a pair of second period goals as Khimik MO defeated Lada 5-1. Glukhov has 9 assists in 17 games so far this season, the most amongst all Lightning Russian prospects.

On the other side of the rink, goaltender Vasily Koshechkin left the game for Togliatti after allowing 2 goals in 30:11 of action. Veteran David Svoboda allowed three goals in the remainder of the game. Dimitry Kazionov also dressed for Togliatti.

Nikita Alexeev, however, was a scratch for Omsk's 3-2 loss to Salavat Yulayev. The former first round pick has just 5 points in 16 games this season.

The Springfield Falcons announced today that forwards Evgeny Artyukhin and Nick Tarnasky have been recalled by the Lightning. Both players will join the Lightning in Atlanta for Thursday night's game against the Thrashers.

Morgan Cey, who missed all of Johnstown's training camp and their two preseason games, is still nursing a groin injury but is expected to be reassigned to Johnstown next week according to the Lightning. Cey will join netminders Jonathan Boutin and David Currie in Johnstown, whose opener is Friday night in Columbia, SC against the Inferno.

The Lightning have announced that Timo Helbling has been reassigned to Springfield by the Tampa Bay Lightning. This means Paul Ranger, who was impressive in weekend games against Pittsburgh and Washington, has secured the No.6 defenseman spot for the near future.

Unconfirmed rumors out of Finland indicate Lightning goaltending prospect Karri Ramo was forced to undergo knee surgery earlier this month and will be out of the lineup for HPK until December at the earliest. Ramo has not dressed for the past three games as Miika Wiikman has reassumed the starting duties for HPK of the SM-liiga. Ramo leads the SM-liiga statistically in GAA and save percentage. Developing.

Update 5:16pm
I haven't had the chance to try to translate this but I'm told this article from Hameen Sanomat indicates Ramo's recovery time will be 2 weeks, not 2 months. Bolt Prospects is currently seeking confirmation.

Update 11:35pm
We have received confirmation from the Lightning that Karri Ramo has injured his knee but were not given any specifics.