Lightning Reassign Johnson And Connolly To Syracuse

With the playoffs of reach and veterans such as Tom Pyatt, Dana Tyrell and Benoit Pouliot available, the Tampa Bay Lightning have decided to reassign forwards Tyler Johnson and Brett Connolly to Syracuse to take part in the AHL Calder Cup playoffs.

The 20 year old Connolly has appeared in five games with the Bolts this season, scoring one goal.  The British Columbia native has also skated in 67 games with the Syracuse Crunch, accumulating 27 goals, 57 points and a +15 rating. Connolly ranks second on Syracuse in goals and points and is third in assists. Connolly was drafted by the Lightning in the first round, sixth overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. (Photos/Susan Ferlita)

The 22 year old Johnson has skated in 14 games with the Bolts this season, accumulating three goals, six points and a +3 rating. The Washington native made his NHL debut on March 14 versus the New York Islanders and scored his first career NHL goal, two nights later versus Carolina. Johnson ranks second among all NHL rookies in faceoff percentage at 59.5% (minimum 50 taken). He has also skated in 59 games with the Syracuse, scoringing 32 goals and 58 points and rates a +28. He leads the Crunch in goals and points and has a team-high 11 power play goals.

The Crunch have struggled lately and will welcome the addition of the two AHL All Stars for their last five game home stand before the playoffs.

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