The rookie defenseman took what was supposed to be a brief opportunity and turned it into an impressive rookie season.
Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak, left, tangles with Columbus Blue Jackets center Matt Duchene behind the net during their opening-round playoff series. [DIRK SHADD | Times]
(This is the 14th in a series this month looking at each player on the Lightning’s roster. Up next: Andrei Vasilevskiy)
TAMPA — Erik u010cernák packed for a week but stayed for five months.