January 5, 2025; Anaheim, California, United States; Anaheim Geese right wing Frank Vatrano (77) shoots on goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period at Honda Heart. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Pictures
Frank Vatrano celebrated a new contract with two goals and an assist, and the Anaheim Geese continued their recent strong play by beating the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1 on Sunday night.
Signed to a three-year extension earlier in the day, left winger Vatrano scored in a two-goal first period and sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.
Troy Terry broke the deadlock for the fifth time in six games and had an assist, and Jackson LaCombe scored late. Ryan Strome recorded two assists in his 200th game with Anaheim.
Winner in Winnipeg on Thursday, goalie John Gibson totaled 36 saves for his 200th NHL victory.
The Pacific Division club won for the fourth time in five games (4-1-0), the previous three being against the Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Devils and Jets.
Jake Guentzel scored his ninth power-play goal. Jonas Johansson made 22 saves for the Lightning, who were swept on their three-game trip to California and outscored 8-3.
Defenseman Erik Cernak played in his 400th NHL game, all with Tampa Bay, which has lost four in a row.
Beginning a streak of eight games in 14 days, the Geese came out on top in the first period and took the lead thanks to a wicked shot from Terry, the club’s leader in goals and points.
With help from Vatrano and Strome, the first-line right winger fired the top-right corner past Johansson for his team-leading 14th goal at 5:24.
One night after failing twice on the power play in Los Angeles without a shot on goal, Tampa Bay got its first of the game when Vatrano committed a stick-holding violation. However, the visitors also failed to get the puck past Gibson.
Vatrano, who scored 37 times and scored 60 points last season, got his redemption and made it 2-0 by putting Jacob Trouba’s shot home at 17:03.
On their third power play, the Lightning finally got a shot at Gibson when Guentzel fired a one-timer from the right circle at 9:12 of the second.
Tampa Bay picked up its pace in the period, and Johansson kept the game within one goal with a stop on Terry’s breakaway attempt with 2:16 left.
In the third, the Geese caught the pressing Lightning on a two-on-one break, and LaCombe scored on a pass from Alex Killorn with 3:34 left in regulation before Vatrano hit one into an open cage.
-Media at field level
