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Prospal's reunion is happy all around
By IZZY GOULD
Published October 6, 2005
TAMPA - The Stanley Cup sat on a table just a few strides from the Lightning.
The Cup shined for all to see during a rocking pregame celebration for the defending champions.
Apparently, the Cup caught Vinny Prospal's eye.
The veteran center was not part of the Lightning's Cup run. Out of respect, he stood back Wednesday night and allowed those who waited 16 months to unveil the championship banner.
He then took a big step forward Wednesday night to help defend it.
Prospal was crowned the game's first star after he scored the first goal and logged two assists en route to a 5-2 opening night victory against Carolina.
"I needed to have a game like this," Prospal said. "The first shift ending with a goal that's a great confidence booster."
Prospal's preseason was worth forgetting. In five games, he was a minus-7 with two assists and 10 shots on goal.
The Lightning traded a second-round NHL entry draft choice to reacquire Prospal from Anaheim. Wednesday night was his first regular-season game with Tampa Bay since the 2002-03 season.
His reunion with the Lightning also marked one with former linemates Vinny Lecavalier and Ruslan Fedotenko. The trio already had developed a chemistry as linemates during Prospal's first stint with the team.
"It's a different than when I was here last time," Prospal said. "Last time, we were up and coming. Now, everyone's hunting for us."
But the No.2 line was limited throughout the preseason.
Fedotenko missed three preseason games, still recovering from surgery on his left hip.
Few would have guessed after the line charged the St. Pete Times Forum crowd of 22,120 with the Lightning's first goal less than two minutes into the season.
The play began when Fedotenko stole the puck along the boards from Hurricanes defenseman Glen Wesley.
He spotted Prospal in front of the net with no one between him a goaltender Martin Gerber. The Lightning winger ripped a crisp pass across the middle. Prospal brought the puck back and whipped it over Gerber's right shoulder for a 1-0 lead.
Prospal was pleased with his fresh start. "We weren't that hot in the preseason," he said. "I guess right now, when it counts, we got off to a good start."
Prospal assisted on two goals, which gave the Lightning a little more breathing room.
Lecavalier believes this could be the start of a promising venture, and feels Prospal should solidify the second line nicely.
"He's such a smart player," Lecavalier said. "My wish is he will have a great season. I know he will, the way he's so determined every shift of every game. The whole team has confidence in him."
Contact Izzy Gould at 352 521-6517 or igould@sptimes.com
[Last modified October 6, 2005, 01:15:08]
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