Lightning Strikes Late, Ties Florida

The Tampa Bay Lightning scored one goal against Florida’s John Vanbiesbrouck in five periods, then beat him twice in barely a minute.

Donald Dufresne and Bill McDougall scored 63 seconds apart in the third period Sunday night to give the Lightning a 3-3 tie with the Panthers.

Nine days ago, Vanbiesbrouck shut out Tampa Bay, 2-0, for the Panthers’ first victory, and his team led, 3-1, Sunday night before Dufresne and McDougall struck.

“He’s been stonewalling us,” said Lightning Coach Terry Crisp of Vanbiesbrouck. “The first thing an expansion team needs is a good goaltender, and they went out and got one.”

Vanbiesbrouck made the only save in overtime. The Panthers failed to convert two power plays in the third period with the score tied.

Florida was shorthanded because of Paul Laus’ roughing penalty when McDougall scored his third goal of the season on a deflection at 6:02 of the third period to tie the score.

“We talked before the game about how we had to get somebody in front of Vanbiesbrouck,” McDougall said. “And on my goal, that’s what I tried to do. The puck hit my stick and went in.”

Brian Bradley also scored on a deflection for Tampa Bay in the first period. Brent Severyn, Jesse Belanger and rookie Rob Niedermayer scored for the Panthers against goalie Daren Puppa.

Center Scott Levins, who shares the Panthers’ lead in scoring this season, fractured his hip in the first period. It’s uncertain how long he’ll be sidelined.

Niedermayer’s goal on a rebound gave Florida a 3-1 lead at 4:32 of the third period, but Dufresne scored his first goal of the season 27 seconds later on a scramble in front of the net.

“It happens in all sports,” Vanbiesbrouck said. “You’re ahead. You go in a little bit of prevent, and they get a bounce and get momentum.”

Severyn scored his first career goal in the opening period on a slap shot from just inside the center line. Puppa was out of position on the power play and beaten on the stick side.

Gratton had two assists for the Lightning, and Gord Murphy had two for Florida.

Tampa Bay center Denis Savard drew an unusual 10-minute misconduct penalty near the end of the second period for complaining to the officials about the way they were dropping the puck on faceoffs.