The injury-riddled Tampa Bay Lightning recalled center Matthew Peca from the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL, the team announced this morning. Thursday night, the team lost centers Tyler Johnson, Vladislav Namestnikov and Cedric Paquette to in-game injuries and Peca will help provide the Lightning with additional depth at the center position.
At this point the injuries to Johnson, Namestnikov, and Paquette appear minor, with the trio each considered day-to-day, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. However, it’s unlikely any of the three will be able to suit up for tonight’s contest against Florida, necessitating the call-up of Peca.
In nine games this season with the Lightning, the 23-year-old Peca has registered two points while posting a -3 plus-minus rating. He has tallied eight goals with 22 assists in 53 appearances for the Crunch. After a strong four-year stretch with Quinnipiac University, Peca joined the Crunch and has scored 17 goals and 77 points in 126 career AHL matches. Peca was originally a seventh-round draft choice by the Lighting in the 2011 entry draft.