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Brouwer's hat trick sends Caps past reeling Lightning

Jan 14, 2012 - 4:41 AM Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Troy Brouwer notched his first career hat trick Friday as Washington downed Tampa Bay, 4-3, at Verizon Center.

Alex Ovechkin had the other goal while Dennis Wideman and Brooks Laich both notched two assists for the Capitals, who have won two straight and six of eight. Tomas Vokoun made 28 saves for the win.

"I think we had things going really good tonight," said Ovechkin. "Right now we need to keep it simple and keep things going because we need the points."

Tom Pyatt, Steven Stamkos and Vincent Lecavalier all scored for the Lightning, who have dropped a season-high six straight. Dwayne Roloson allowed three goals on 19 shots in the loss.

"We don't doubt anyone's character in this room or anyone's desire to win," said Stamkos. "Today was unfortunate and there's been too many of those where we deserve to win and we don't."

Trailing by two, the Lightning made it a one-goal game on the power play when Stamkos' shot from down low hit off the left post then the camera inside the net with 3:24 to play.

Initially, there was no goal called as the puck quickly came out after hitting the camera and play was allowed to continue. After a stoppage, a review showed the puck went in and Stamkos was awarded his league-leading 30th goal of the season.

Tampa later pulled Roloson and Washington appeared to seal the victory when Brouwer capped the hat trick with an empty net goal with one minute left.

The Lightning, though, got one with 11 seconds left and Roloson on the bench as Lecavalier scored his 17th of the season.

However, there was not enough time left for the Lightning to get another chance.

The first goal of the game came 3:52 into the opening period on a power play as Ovechkin's heavy wrister from the slot went through a screen. Martin St. Louis' interference led to the power play opportunity.

A delay of game call for shooting the puck over the glass went to Eric Brewer just over a minute later and Washington again went to work on the power play. Shortly after the call, Brouwer had the puck at the left side and his quick shot squeezed into the net at the 5:45 mark.

Brouwer's second of the game came 5:25 into the second as he pounced on a rebound in the slot, but Pyatt got the Lightning on the board with 2:54 to play in the second on a one-timer from down low.

Game Notes

Washington hosts Carolina on Sunday...Tampa Bay hosts the Penguins on Sunday...The Caps have won both games against the Lightning this season...Washington went 2-for-4 on the power play while Tampa was 1-for-5.