Kenneth Cross

Founder, Editor and Writer at Collegehoopswatch.com

College Basketball Writer at Rivals

Spanning the orange sphere on a daily basis. Our Marching to Madness podcast features interviews with coaches around the country and much more!

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Articles

Early Lightning Strikes Stop Panthers; Playoff Rematch on the Horizon

1 week ago | insidehockey.com | Kenneth Cross

TAMPA – Brayden Point scored his team-leading 42nd goal of the season and Nikita Kucherov posted a goal and an assist as the Tampa Bay Lightning skated by the Florida Panthers, 5-1, in their home finale on Tuesday evening. While the Panthers were without six of their top seven scorers due to injuries, the Lightning took command quickly with three first-period goals by Point, Conor Geekie, and Anthony Cirelli posted a shorthanded goal at 18:09.
Offensive Fervor Lifts Bolts Over Sabres

1 week ago | insidehockey.com | Kenneth Cross

TAMPA – The Tampa Bay Lightning gave up two goals to the Buffalo Sabres in the last 22 seconds of the first period in the Bolts’ 7-4 dismissal of Buffalo on Sunday evening. The win ended four one-point losses in the last five games as the Lightning’s latest three defeats occurred in overtime. Tampa Bay immediately responded to this call to arms after forward Brandon Hagel found defenseman Ryan McDonough in front of the Buffalo net to tie the game at 3:02 in the second period.
Cirelli, Kucherov Hit Milestones to Lead Tampa Bay’s Rout of Penguins

4 weeks ago | insidehockey.com | Kenneth Cross

TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa Bay Lightning forward Anthony Cirelli scored two goals in his 500th career game while Nikita Kucherov had a goal and two assists as the Bolts struck for a 6-1 decision over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Lightning moved into fifth in the Eastern Conference where they are three points off of second place Carolina. Tampa Bay reasserted itself after back-to-back losses to Utah and Vegas ended their road trip.
Quick Strikes Allow Lightning to Vanquish Blue Jackets

1 month ago | insidehockey.com | Kenneth Cross

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning scored a pair of goals by 1:37 of the first period, and center Jake Guentzel and defenseman Victor Hedman scored two goals each and Tampa controlled and defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets, 6-2, on Monday evening. Lightning forward Mitchell Chaffee redirected a shot from defenseman Emil Lilleberg for a 1-0 lead just thirty seconds into the contest.
Defensive Consistency Leads Lightning To Sixth Consecutive Win

1 month ago | insidehockey.com | Kenneth Cross

TAMPA – Edmonton Oilers centers Leon Daisaitl and Connor McDavid are the focal point of the team which has posted 3.26 goals per game as Edmonton and Tampa Bay are two of the best-scoring teams in the NHL. Tuesday evening, the Lightning asserted its defense once again and the Bolts took a 4-1 win that moved them into a fourth-place tie with the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference.
Hagel Sets Tone With Vasilevskiy’s Goaltending in Win Over Kraken

1 month ago | insidehockey.com | Kenneth Cross

TAMPA – Lightning forward Brandon Hagel scored the initial goal and added an assist as the Tampa Bay Lightning returned from the two-week break with a convincing 4-1 win over the Seattle Kraken in Amalie Arena. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 36 of 37 shots to pace the Bolts to their fifth consecutive win. “A huge game by Vasy tonight,” said defenseman Ryan McDonough. “I liked our compete.
“Cool” Defines Lightning Win and Kucherov’s 600th Assist

Jan 21, 2025 | insidehockey.com | Kenneth Cross

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning scored three goals in the first 3:58 of the second period and Nikita Kucherov dished out two assists to equate 600, and the Bolts passed by the Detroit Red Wings, 5-1, on Saturday evening. Kucherov assisted Jake Guentzel’s power-play goal just 15 seconds into the second period and then his 600th assist came on a power-play goal from Darren Raddysh at the 15:06 mark of the second.
Power Play, Vasilevskiy Create Lightning Win over Ducks in Shootout

Jan 17, 2025 | insidehockey.com | Kenneth Cross

TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Lightning edged the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 Thursday evening when Bolts forward Jake Guentzel scored the lone goal in sudden death. Goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy turned away shots by Anaheim forward Mason McTavish and Ducks leading scorer Troy Terry in the shootout to allow Tampa Bay to win its 24th game of the season, leaving the Lightning in sixth place in the Eastern Conference.
Special Teams, Kucherov-Point Lead Lightning Assault of Rangers

Dec 30, 2024 | insidehockey.com | Kenneth Cross

TAMPA, Fla. – Lightning center Brayden Point scored on a shorthanded goal and he laid down two assists as he and forward Nikita Kucherov assisted each other and the Tampa Bay Lightning vanquished the New York Rangers, 6-2, at Amalie Arena. Lightning special teams was a story as Point scored a shorthanded goal with his two assists. He enjoyed his 10th game where he tabulated more than one point. “Don’t apologize for winning,” said Lightning head coach Jon Cooper. “We won a game 6-2 tonight.
Goncalves Posts First Career Goal as Lightning Dispatch Blues

Dec 20, 2024 | insidehockey.com | Kenneth Cross

By Ken CrossTAMPA, Fla. – Rethinking the music is sometimes a norm when rewriting a formerly popular Blues music score. The Tampa Bay Lightning became composers of their rendition of creating their own Blues musical when they used goals by role players and a sticky, hard-nosed defense in the 3-1 win over St. Louis in Amalie Arena on Thursday evening.