Sorokin, Islanders Stymie Lightning Again
- Mike Smith
- Dec 6, 2025
- 4 min read
By Mike Smith | Thunderstruck Sports
Ilya Sorokin saved all 32 shots aimed at him, and Calum Ritchie netted the decisive goal late in the game, leading the New York Islanders to a 2-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. The loss marked the third straight defeat for the Bolts, with two of those losses coming at home.
It was the third shutout of the season for Sorokin, and the 25th of his career. The shutout ties an Islanders franchise record.
Calum scored 2:32 into a four-minute double-minor penalty against Brandon Hagel in the third period. Hagel made contact with Casey Cizikas near the New York bench, and no penalty was initially called. However, after a brief discussion among the game officials, Hagel was penalized. A video review upheld the double minor decision.
Calum would put a rebound off the board through the legs of Lightning netminder Jonas Johanssen to score the game-winner.
Cizikas would later score an empty net goal with two seconds left to seal the win.
Lightning Create Chances, But Can't Solve the Sorokin Riddle
Between Tuesday and Saturday, Tampa Bay shot at Sorokin 62 times. Sorokin, 9-8 on the year so far with two overtime losses, has been able to stymie the Lightning this week. The Bolts outshot New York 32-19 Saturday night, and Sorokin had the answer through all 60 minutes.
The win was their third straight victory and second against Tampa Bay in less than a week, moving them to a 16-10-3 record. They jumped over the Penguins for third place in the Metropolitan Division and now have one more point (35) than the Lightning.
Sorokin has defeated the Lightning just four times in his career. Nonetheless, the fact that two of these victories occurred within five days highlights the exceptional level of play the Russian is currently demonstrating.
Bolts Need to Regroup as They Head North
For the Lightning, this loss marked their third consecutive defeat and their first shutout of the season, dropping their record to 16-10-2. While they were previously leading the Atlantic Division, their recent losing streak has allowed other teams to close the gap.
The Boston Bruins beat the New Jersey Devils, 4-1, on Saturday to tie Tampa Bay with 34 points in the Atlantic Division. The Montreal Canadiens trail both Tampa Bay and Boston with 33 points.
The loss puts them in a vulnerable position, where an extended losing streak could quickly see them tumble down the standings in a tight conference. They need to right the ship in the upcoming week, with back-to-back games against the Maple Leafs and Canadiens.
The Lightning will then be in New Jersey before wrapping up the four-game week-long road trip with another matchup with Sorokin and the Islanders.
Injury Bug Hits Again
The Lightning also continues to struggle with injuries this season. Victor Hedman returned to the lineup tonight after missing 12 games. However, Tampa Bay lost Curtis Douglas and Dominic James tonight to injury.
"It's tough. It's like one out, one in. Two out, two in," Head coach Jon Cooper said. "We will probably have a different lineup when we play Toronto."
When asked about the three-game losing streak and more injuries piling up, Cooper was focused on trusting the process in place to play successful Lightning hockey.
"We have to (trust the process). We are playing these teams well, and the unfortunate part is what only counts is the scoreboard, and so it's just the way it's going," Cooper said. "Sometimes you're beating teams, and you don't deserve to, and those always feel good because you're getting the points."
"These ones sting because you're playing pretty good hockey and you're not getting rewarded for it," Cooper continued. "So our job is to make sure that they don't change the way they play, that we just keep plugging along, and you keep doing the right things."
"Eventually you'll get rewarded."
Lightning Celebrates 35th Anniversary
The Lightning marked the 35th anniversary of receiving the franchise on December 6, 1990, with a special puck drop ceremony featuring team founder Phil Esposito. Esposito was especially touched by the way the Tampa Bay area has embraced the team over the years.
"I was committed to bringing a franchise to Tampa," Esposito recollected. "But at first I didn't realize there was more to Tampa than just Tampa. It was a whole area, from St. Pete to Brandon and more! That's why I make sure the team is referred to as 'Tampa Bay' by media outlets throughout the league. It's an entire community."
Esposito played a crucial role in introducing the Tampa Bay Lightning to the NHL, co-founding the team and acting as its initial President and General Manager until 1998. He has also been a notable radio commentator for the team for numerous years.
"I was coming no matter what!" the Lightning Radio color commentator said. "And if I wasn't successful getting the team here, I was still going to make this town my home! It's a good thing we were awarded the Lightning, or I'd probably still be selling used cars on Florida Avenue."
Three Stars of the Game
Ilya Sorokin, New York. He stopped all 32 shots he faced, and tallied 62 total saves against the Lightning this week.
Calum Ritchie, New York. Scored the game-winner with six minutes to play in a deadlocked game with a nice rebound shot on the power play.
Jonas Johanssen, Tampa Bay. Played a lights-out game, but came up on the short side of a duel of goalies against Sorokin.
Up Next
The Lightning head north of the border to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night.
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