Lightning recall Slater Koekkoek and Joel Vermin from Syracuse

Anton Stralman had to leave the game after this awkward fall in front of the net where he was tangled with Anders Lee.

The Tampa Bay Lightning recalled defenceman Slater Koekkoek and forward Joel Vermin from the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch Saturday.

The Lightning lost defenceman Anton Stralman for the rest of the regular season after the Swedish blue-liner fractured his left fibula in Friday night’s game against the New York Islanders.

Koekkoek was Tampa Bay’s first pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, taken 10th overall. The 22-year-old has one assist in six games with the Lightning this season, and five goals and 10 assists in Syracuse.

Vermin was taken in the seventh round, 186th overall, in the 2013 NHL Draft. He also has one assist in six games with the Lightning.

The 24-year-old Swiss winger has six goals and 11 assists with the Crunch this season.

The Lightning host the Florida Panthers Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. ET. The two teams are tied at 91 points for the Atlantic Division lead.

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