Changes for Tampa Bay Lightning gets them back to winning ways (Part 4)
The next major reason considered to be a boosting factor for Lightning that might have played the lifting role is the addition of new players.
Lightning had been facing problems regarding not having a strong man in front of the goal. Majority of their setbacks were due to the fact that the goalkeepers were inexperienced and unable to deal with the pressure of important games.
The initial games of the season saw the team learning the way things were run by Boucher. The goal keeping department wasn’t coming up with the level of performances expected and Lightning had to wait till the mid-season trades opened.
Dan Ellis and Mike Smith were the two goalkeepers guarding the goal for Lightning. An astounding fact was that Lightning was able to win games even though both these goal tenders had the worse save-percentages in the league at the time.
As a result, on the 1st of January, Dwayne Roloson was brought in the team and Lighting’s fortunes seemed to change since his arrival.
Roloson’s addition lifted up the team’s performance significantly. The players worked hard, knowing that the team’s administration was making changes to ensure that Lightning comes up with something good.
The brilliance of the team’s response is reflective of Lightning making their way back into the postseason after they couldn’t make it into the playoffs for three consecutive seasons.
Lightning was contesting for the Southeast Division title with the Washington Capitals. Before the addition of Roloson to the team, Lightning lost two encounters, 6-0 and 6-4. However, during the time Roloson was guarding the goal, Lightning exhibited clean
sweep performances in the remaining two games between the two sides.
"[Roloson] has been incredible", Adam Hall said. "Obviously he's a great veteran and brings a ton of experience to the table. He just has a calming effect in the locker room and he's just an intelligent hockey mind as well. If he happens to see something
during the play, whether it is special teams or even strength or whenever, he reads the game so well. He'll bring things up in between periods or during practices -- even after practice he'll be helping guys with advice. He's seen it all and he's such a great
guy to have as part of the team".
The spirits and expectations are both high. The Lightning administration is hoping to win the Stanley Cup but according to them they have already made an achievement after three disappointing seasons but this wouldn’t stop them in moving on for the Cup.
(Continued in part 5). . . . . . . . .
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