DiMaio still faces an uncertain prognosis

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published October 20, 2006

TAMPA - Rob DiMaio's future is still in limbo - for another three weeks, anyway.

The Lightning right wing was examined Wednesday by Michael Collins, a concussion expert at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

Tampa Bay trainer Tommy Mulligan said DiMaio was given cognitive tests in which he answered questions on a computer that measured the time he took to respond and his memory.

DiMaio will be tested again in three weeks, Mulligan said. The results will be analyzed and determinations made as to his treatment and prognosis.

For now, Mulligan said, DiMaio will continue resting at home in Toronto.

"He has a lot of the same symptoms," Mulligan said. "There is not much improvement."

DiMaio, 38, an 18-year veteran, was hurt in a Sept. 26 preseason game by an elbow from Montreal's Guillaume Latendresse.

DiMaio said his head feels as if squeezed by a vise, and Mulligan said DiMaio has "vertigolike symptoms" that could indicate an inner-ear problem that likely will be treated in Toronto.

"He will get better," Mulligan said. "It will just take time."

AFFY RISING: Left wing Dmitry Afanasenkov may have found a comfort zone on a line with center Eric Perrin and Nikita Alexeev.

Afanasenkov entered Thursday with points in consecutive games: a goal Saturday against the Panthers and an assist Monday against the Hurricanes.

Asked if he felt being off the line with Brad Richards and Marty St. Louis was less pressure, Afanasenkov said it was not a matter of pressure but clarity.

"I was thinking too much what the guys were going to do," he said. "Now I'm just playing."

BAR HOPPING: Thanks to the addition of some seats in the lower bowl of the St. Pete Times Forum, the visiting team walks through the new XO Club under the stands to get to the ice.

Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock found the necessity to be among opposing fans interesting.

"I hope they paid big money to watch me walk through," he said.

ODDS AND ENDS: Lightning goaltender Marc Denis played his 300th NHL game. ... Center Andreas Karlsson (groin) played after missing five games. ... Defenseman Luke Richardson was a healthy scratch. ... Several Lightning players will compete in the pro-am of the Chrysler Championship at 12:30 p.m. Monday at Palm Harbor's Innisbrook Resort. Admission is free.

[Last modified October 20, 2006, 06:13:57]