Lightning advance; Rays, Rowdies cruise to easy wins
May 16, 2022 - It was a good weekend for Tampa Bay sports, beginning with the Lightning securing a 2-1 Game 7 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs in the first round of the NHL’s playoffs Saturday. Lightning left wing Nick Paul scored both of Tampa Bay’s goals on Toronto’s home ice in the elimination game. The Bolts now face the top-seeded Florida Panthers in the second round. In soccer, the Tampa Bay Rowdies embarrassed the Phoenix Rising FC 5-1 in Arizona on Sunday. Jake LaCava, Dayonn Harris, Jake Areman, Sivert Haugli and Ryan Flood all notched goals for Tampa Bay, which now sits at fifth in the USL’s 14-team Eastern Conference. The Tampa Bay Rays continued their winning ways in MLB, shutting out the Toronto Blue Jays 3-0 on Sunday. That win followed a 5-2 route on Saturday, and the Rays took the series two games to one. The Rays are now 21-14 on the season and hold second place in the AL East.