Tampa Bay's Ondřej Palát knocks in a dreaded own goal

Despite Ondrej Palat's gaffe, the Lightning still beat the Flyers, 4-2. Photo: AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

By Mike McMahon

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ondřej Palát has been one of the most electrifying rookies to watch this season, with his 22 goals and 36 assists putting him squarely in the Calder Trophy conversation. On Thursday night, he scored another goal, but this one won't go in the books as number 23 -- because it went into his team's net:

Flyers forward Sean Couturier, who coincidentally was Palát's linemate when they played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, was credited with the goal that tipped off of Palát's stick and went over the shoulder of Lightning goaltender Anders Lindback.

Tampa Bay ended up winning the game anyway, 4-2. It's seems, though, that the Lightning's often electric offense is fairly proficient at putting biscuits into either net. Just ask captain Steven Stamkos, who deposited one into his own basket with a delayed penalty in one of the more bizarre plays you will see.