Lightning/NHL

Denis looks at ease in debut

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published September 21, 2006

WASHINGTON - Marc Denis said it was a relief to finally "break the ice" with his first game as Lightning goaltender. That he did it with such a stellar effort was even better.

Denis made 40 saves Wednesday, including 18 in the second period, as Tampa Bay scored a 3-2 overtime victory over the Capitals at the Verizon Center in the preseason opener for both teams.

"I had some butterflies," Denis said. "I know this was an exhibition game but you still want to make a good first impression."

"He played great," defenseman Dan Boyle said. "When we made the mistakes, he made the stops we needed him to. A great start for him."

Boyle got the winner on the power play 2:24 into the extra period on a wrist shot from near the blue line that beat Olaf Kolzig who was screened by Ryan Craig. The goal capped a comeback in which Tampa Bay wiped out a 2-0 second-period deficit.

Norm Milley scored with 5:15 left in the second period and Vinny Lecavalier's cross pass deflected in off Capitals defenseman Brian Pothier with 9:20 left in the third.

But it was Denis' play that saved the day, especially midway through the second period when the Lightning had been outshot 32-18. Tampa Bay narrowed the final gap to 42-36. Coach John Tortorella said the number of shots against wasn't all bad.

"You're not going to play the game sloppy to give up a lot of shots," he said. "But in these types of situations, you want to get your goalie some action."

Said Denis: "I hope this is a sign of good things to come."

GAME NOTES: Defenseman Filip Kuba played a game-high 26:42 and blocked four shots. ... Center Andreas Karlsson won 64 percent of his faceoffs (9-for-14), and his line, including wings Nikita Alexeev and Craig, got good reviews from Tortorella. ... Center Eric Perrin had three shots, three takeaways and blocked a shot. ... Tampa Bay killed 9 of 10 short-handed situations. ... Lecavalier had a team-high six shots and assisted on Boyle's goal.

KIND WORDS FOR DOMI: Defenseman Luke Richardson said he has been friends with Tie Domi since they played juniors together in the late 1980s in Peterborough, Ontario.

"Just a kind person," Richardson said.

Domi, 36, who spent the past 11 seasons with the Maple Leafs, left the game fourth all time with 3,515 penalty minutes.

"I remember a hot summer in Toronto," Richardson said. "I said I'd go play hockey with his cousins at night for fun in a men's league but I had to finish painting a fence first. He's right over there with a paint brush helping me paint the fence."

TRAINING CAMP

WHERE: Ice Sports Forum, 10222 Elizabeth Place, Brandon.

SPECTATORS: Free and open to the public.

DIRECTIONS: Take Lee Roy Selmon Expressway east and exit at Faulkenburg Road. Go left (north) on Faulkenburg past Adamo Drive. Go right (east) on Elizabeth Place to the rink.

SCHEDULE

(subject to change)

TO DAY-FRIDAY: No workouts, team traveling.

SATURDAY: Off.

SUNDAY: Pregame skate, 10 a.m.

MONDAY: Practice, 11 a.m.

TUESDAY: Practice, 11 a.m.

WEDNESDAY: Off, camp moves to St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa.

SEPT. 28: Pregame skate, 10:45 a.m. SEPT. 29: Practice, noon.

SEPT. 30: Practice, TBA. OCT. 1: Off. OCT. 2: Practice, 11 a.m.

OCT. 3: Practice, 11 a.m. OCT. 4: Practice, 11 a.m.

UP NEXT: LIGHTNING AT RED WINGS

When/Where: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Joe Louis Arena, Detroit

Radio: 620-AM

PRESEASON GAMES

SUNDAY: Stars, 7

tuesday: at Canadiens, 7:30

SEPT. 28: Red Wings, 7:30

SEPT. 30: at Stars, 7:30

[Last modified September 21, 2006, 02:34:13]