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MVP's line does most of damage in victory
By TOM JONES
Published September 20, 2005
DETROIT - The worst thing about the Lightning's preseason opener was that it didn't count.
Nevertheless, the Lightning picked up where it left off when hockey shut down 15 months ago. The defending champions beat the Red Wings 5-3 at a half-empty Joe Louis Arena.
And familiar names led the way. The line of 2003-04 regular-season MVP Marty St. Louis , Brad Richards and Fredrik Modin scored four of the goals and combined for nine points. Modin had two goals and an assist and St. Louis and Richards had a goal and two assists in a game that, as expected, produced a slew of penalties.
In an attempt to set the tone for the regular season by cracking down on obstruction penalties, referees Paul Devorski and Brian Pochmara dished out 18 penalties. The Lightning went 2-for-11 on the power play, the Red Wings 2-for-7.
Coach John Tortorella said he was pleased, particularly with the first period.
"After that, we had some disruption in the flow because of the penalties," Tortorella said. "But this is the way it's going to be, and we're fine with that."
Still, the Lightning, playing a mixture of veterans and prospects, started the preseason in fine fashion. Particularly encouraging was the play of goalie John Grahame , who has the inside track to replace Nikolai Khabibulin as the team's No.1 goalie. Grahame made 23 saves.
Prospect Evgeny Artyukhin scored the winner when he snapped a tie at 2 early in the third period.
SHOOTOUT: Even though the Lightning won in regulation, the teams went through the shootout after the game. All preseason games will feature a shootout after the game regardless of the score.
The Lightning did well there, too, out-scoring the Red Wings 2-1. The Lightning got goals from St. Louis and Richards while Dan Boyle was stopped by Detroit goalie James Howard .
Meantime, Grahame allowed a goal to Jason Williams but stopped Kris Draper and Brendan Shanahan .
BEHIND THE BENCH: In years past, Tortorella has watched the first couple of preseason games from the press box. But he spent Monday night behind the bench and plans to coach all seven of the Lightning's preseason games from ice level.
"You have to remember," Tortorella said, "I've been away from the game for a year, too. I want to be down there to see ... how we're doing."
[Last modified September 20, 2005, 01:55:19]
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