Yahoo Sports Lightning Top Prospect Making Big Case for NHL
The Tampa Bay Lightning played their second pre-season game of the year last night (Sept. 25) against the Florida Panthers. It was certainly an entering contest, as the Lightning defeated their big rivals by an 8-7 final score.
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The Lightning had several players step up offensively in this matchup, but top prospect Conor Geekie was easily among the most noticeable. The 6-foot-4 forward put together an excellent offensive performance, posting two goals and an assist on the night.
© Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Geekie first got on the scoresheet with his assist. After receiving a pass from Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh, Geekie quickly made a bank pass back to the right-shot defender. From there, Raddysh fired it home.
🚨 Darren Raddysh (#43) blasts it home from point on the power play for his 2nd goal of the game and the preseason!
pic.twitter.com/IVIRa4SNHL— Future Bolts (@LightningProsp1) September 26, 2024
Geekie later scored his first goal of the game while the Lightning were on the power play. He showed great forechecking on the play, as he stole the puck behind the net from Panthers goalie Kenneth Appleby before scoring a wraparound goal.
🚨 Conor Geekie (#14) steals the puck from the goalie behind the net and wraps it home for his 1st goal of the preseason!#GoBolts
pic.twitter.com/xdypmVeCUB— Future Bolts (@LightningProsp1) September 26, 2024
However, Geekie saved his best play for last. During the final seconds of the game, he skated the puck from the Lightning's defensive zone all the way to the offensive zone. From there, he fired a shot and beat Appleby with just three seconds left in the third period for the game-winning goal.
🚨 With 3 seconds to go! Conor Geekie (#14) fires it home on the rush on the power play for his 2nd goal of the game and the preseason! Darren Raddysh (#43) and Jaydon Dureau (#32) pick up the assists.#GoBolts
pic.twitter.com/o3J0zXjFMJ— Future Bolts (@LightningProsp1) September 26, 2024
With Geekie looking to make the Lightning's opening night roster, this kind of dominant performance should certainly help his chances. There is no question that he is making a case for himself to play in the NHL, and it will be fun to see what he does for an encore from here.
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