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© St. Petersburg Times, published October 11, 2002
SUNRISE -- There was no time on the clock as the Panthers celebrated Sandis Ozolinsh's power-play goal at the end of the first period.
But the green light atop the goal judge's booth was flashing, and as rule 11(c) states, a goal cannot be scored, and the red light that signifies a goal, cannot be accessed, when the green light is on.
The goal stood, tying the score at 1, after a ruling by the video goal judge and Denis Morel, the game's supervisor of officials, that it was scored with 0.2 seconds left.
Morel said the information was relayed to referees Marc Joannette and Don VanMassenhoven, who worked the Lightning's 4-3 overtime victory.
"Right away we checked the clock and we got the answer," Morel said. "It's a quick process, and in that case it was pretty clear."
At the time, it appeared the referees ignored Lightning pleas to have the play reviewed. But Morel said he and the video judge made a review before the referees could ask for one.
General manager Jay Feaster was clearly upset as he left the Tampa Bay suite after the period.
His only comment: "It's a great league, a great game and great officiating."
After time was restored, Joannette and VanMassenhoven tried to get the teams, which had gone to the locker rooms, to come back to the ice for a faceoff. Five Panthers returned, but only Martin St. Louis came out for Tampa Bay.
WILLIS UNCLAIMED: Right wing Shane Willis was not claimed off waivers and will report to AHL Springfield.
The demotion will not hurt Willis' pocketbook. The 25-year-old is on a one-way contract that pays $615,000.
Coach John Tortorella was not concerned with finances.
"The onus is on him," Tortorella said. "He's got to go down there and improve, and we'll see where our lineup sets up."
DWYER TRADED: Tampa Bay sent left wing Gordie Dwyer to the Rangers for left wing Boyd Kane.
Kane, 24, had 17 goals and 22 assists with 193 penalty minutes last season in 78 games for AHL Hartford. Feaster likened the style of the 6-foot-2, 218-pounder to that of right wing Sheldon Keefe.
Dwyer, 24, had four assists and 291 penalty minutes in 78 Lightning games over three seasons.
ANDREYCHUK READY: If left wing Dave Andreychuk had any doubts about returning for a 21st season, they were dispelled Wednesday night. "I didn't sleep," he said. "Maybe I'm not as nervous but (opening night) is still something exciting to me."
Andreychuk, 39, played only three preseason games while recovering from a broken right toe.
ODDS AND ENDS: Free hamburgers, hot dogs and beer will be served from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. today at Shots restaurant at the St. Pete Times Forum. Attendees also can see practice at noon. ... About 1,000 tickets remain for Saturday's home opener against the Hurricanes. Two hundred upper-level tickets will be available for $8 at 10 a.m. Saturday at the box office or through Ticketmaster. ... Defenseman Nolan Pratt and left wing Andre Roy (suspended) were scratched. ... Former Lightning defenseman Mathieu Biron was scratched for the Panthers.