Lightning shockingly bench Brayden Point for team violation
In a surprising turn of events, Brayden Point, one of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s star forwards, has been benched for a team violation. Known for their strong hockey culture and relentless drive, the Lightning’s high standards have earned them back-to-back Stanley Cup victories and multiple trips to the Stanley Cup Finals. With such an established winning tradition, every player is held accountable, regardless of their status or past performance.
Brayden Point’s Bench: A Reminder of Team Expectations
The Tampa Bay Lightning have always prided themselves on maintaining a culture of discipline and accountability. So, when Point reportedly missed a team meeting, head coach Jon Cooper didn’t hesitate to bench him for the next game. This was a clear message that, in the Lightning organization, no one is above the team’s expectations.
The Lightning will face their long-time rival, the Boston Bruins, on Tuesday night at TD Garden, and Point’s absence has sparked conversations across the hockey world. Despite being a key contributor to the Lightning’s success, Point will not be suiting up for this game, which is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM EST.
Point’s Impressive Career Milestone
Despite the controversy surrounding his benching, Brayden Point has been a cornerstone of the Lightning’s success over the years. Recently, Point reached a career milestone, recording his 600th career point in a victory over the Bruins. Reflecting on the achievement, Point expressed his gratitude, saying, “It’s really cool. Obviously, very fortunate to play on great teams and with great players, but yeah, it’s really cool.”
Coach Jon Cooper also praised Point’s talent, saying, “Some guys are gifted, and he just has a gift when he gets in there. He knows where to put it. He doesn’t shoot it the hardest, he just knows where to put it.”
Brayden Point’s Career Achievements
Drafted in the 2014 NHL Draft as the 79th overall pick, Point quickly made a name for himself. Starting his career with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2016-17 season, Point’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of spectacular. In his rookie year, he scored 18 goals and contributed 22 assists over 68 games.
Point’s best season to date came in 2022-23, when he achieved a career-high 51 goals and recorded 95 points. This season, he continues to lead the Lightning with 25 goals in just 37 games played, further solidifying his role as one of the team’s top players.
Despite his personal success, the latest benching serves as a reminder that even the most skilled players must adhere to the team’s standards and uphold its culture. As the Lightning move forward, it will be interesting to see how this situation plays out and whether Brayden Point can use this as a learning experience to reinforce his commitment to the team’s high standards.
The Tampa Bay Lightning are sending a strong message with the benching of Brayden Point, emphasizing that team discipline and adherence to expectations remain at the forefront of their championship mindset.
