Islanders 2 (EN), Lightning 0: Ritchie nets game-winner as Sorokin logs 25th shutout
This game started quietly, with little sustained action beyond Ilya Sorokin’s sharp goaltending and the Isles occasionally rattling the iron. Entering the third period tied 0-0—a rarity for a team known at times for defensive hiccups—the Islanders finally found a breakthrough during a four-minute power play, capped by a spectacular tally from Cal Ritchie.
Sorokin was brilliant all night, tying a franchise record with his 25th shutout — equaling Chico Resch’s mark. He was the standout performer for the Isles, tracking pucks with precision and making critical saves to keep New York in contention as Tampa Bay fired 32 shots toward him.
The opening frame was relatively uneventful, with Sorokin turning away all nine Lightning attempts. Early in the second, Max Shabanov left briefly for a moment but returned to the bench looking fine, so it appears to have been a minor issue.
Sorokin absorbed contact early in the middle period when a Lightning skater drove the net and Mayfield crashed into him. He remained steady and continued his strong performance the rest of the night.
Marc Gatcomb created chances against Jonas Johansson but couldn’t finish. A tripping penalty on Casey Cizikas sent Victor Hedman to the box, yet the Isles did not convert.
Shortly after, Anders Lee drew a high-sticking penalty, but the Isles killed it off.
Lee and Anthony Duclair both struck posts on close plays that could have given the Isles a lead, and Bo Horvat later drew a hooking penalty that the Islanders successfully killed.
In the third, Adam Pelech’s shot produced a sizable rebound that narrowly eluded Shabanov, who would have had an empty-net opportunity otherwise.
Pelech delivered a clean hit on Curtis Douglas along the boards. Although the contact looked routine, Douglas appeared to catch the boards awkwardly and left the game.
Cizikas was on the receiving end of a high stick to the face, and Brandon Hagel drew a four-minute double minor after some discussion. Although Kyle MacLean appeared to influence Hagel’s stick movement, the responsibility ultimately falls on the player to control his own stick.
Simon Holmstrom rang another shot off a post before the Islanders finally broke through. Cal Ritchie scored a spectacular between-the-legs goal from tight range, banking the puck off Johansson and into the net to make it 1-0.
With just under three minutes remaining, Tampa Bay pulled Johansson for an extra skater and spent the majority of the period in the Isles’ end. Sorokin held the fort with several key saves, and Cizikas sealed the win with an empty-net goal shortly thereafter, extending the final margin to 2-0.
Up Next
The Isles stay in Florida to face the Panthers as the dads-and-mentors tour continues.
