The Lightning's top draft pick, defenseman Victor Hedman, has been sensational all season. Teamed with fellow Swede Mattais Ohlund, the hulking Hedman leads all NHL rookies in ice time. He is also averaging 24 minutes a game, is a plus one in plus/minus, and has four points.
The 18 year old learned a tough lesson Thursday night in Ottawa, when notorious cheap shot artist Chris Neil took a run at him behind the Lightning goal in Tampa Bay's 3-2 overtime loss to the Senators.
It was a lesson delivered with force, as Hedman crumbled to the ice from the hit, sparking teammate Steve Downie to charge Neil. Neil proceeded to beat down Downie as well.
The rookie got it, telling Tampa media that he needs to make quicker decisions and keep his head up.
The Lightning are using the upper body injury on the injury report but some believe that Hedman may have suffered a slight concussion.
The Lightning don't want to rush their budding anchor on the blue line back into the line-up too soon.
"You have to be very careful," Lightning coach Rick Tocchet told the St. Pete Times about of concussions. "You have to be sure. Lucky t ...
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Article written by JC De La Torre
Tampa Bay Lightning’s Victor Hedman Learns The Hard Way
November 6th, 2009 by JC De La Torre Leave a reply »
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