Ugly but unbeaten

Johan Holmqvist bails out the Lightning, which is 3-0 after a rare low-scoring win.

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published October 11, 2007

Johan Holmqvist bailed out the Lightning Wednesday by saving 30 shots.
	[Dirk Shadd | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Dirk Shadd | Times] Chris Gratton's two goals were his first this season. But he said they weren't any sweeter coming against Florida, which traded him to Tampa Bay last summer for a second-round draft pick.

TAMPA - No one would have thought twice if Johan Holmqvist patted himself on the back, or at least admitted to some satisfaction he is playing like a No. 1.

Instead, the Lightning goaltender, after a game-saving effort in Wednesday night's 2-1 victory over the Panthers at the St. Pete Times Forum, basically, shrugged.

"I felt pretty good," he said. "It was just another game."

Really, though, it wasn't.

Holmqvist's 30 saves made him and the Lightning winners in all three games. He rescued a team that was outplayed and outshot 31-23, and he made Chris Gratton's two goals stand up.

In short, he stole two points.

How long has it been since a goalie did that for Tampa Bay? The last time the team won a game scoring fewer than three goals was April 6, 2006, when Sean Burke beat the Penguins 1-0.

Last season, the Lightning was 0-30-1 in such games.

"Their goalie played the best game since he's been in the league," Florida captain Olli Jokinen said, "especially against us."

It was the best among three in which Holmqvist stopped 69 of 73 shots for a .945 save percentage and 1.33 goals-against average.

"There's not a bad thing you can say about him in those three games," Lightning left wing Mathieu Darche said. "Not one mistake."

Holmqvist's effort wasn't in a vacuum. As coach John Tortorella said, "We weren't absolute dogs."

Gratton's goals were his first this season. But he said they weren't any sweeter coming against Florida, which traded him to Tampa Bay last summer for a second-round draft pick.

"It really doesn't matter who it's against," said the center, whose power-play goal with 9:24 left in the second period snapped a 1-1 tie. "It's always nice to chip in."

Gratton's line, including Darche and Jason Ward, did more than that. Its energy made up for a stale night from the line of Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis and Vinny Prospal. Lecavalier had seven shots but was stopped on two breakaways.

Then there was Tampa Bay's defense, which was outstanding clearing the few rebounds Holmqvist allowed. Nine players blocked 13 shots, led by Filip Kuba's four.

"That's where instead of getting a rebound goal scored on you, you end up clearing the puck and battling in the corner," Tortorella said. "You talk about coverages, zones, eventually it comes down to battles in important areas."

Don't let anyone fool you. After last season, in which Holmqvist and Marc Denis combined for stats at or near the bottom of the league, there is just as important a battle going on in Tampa Bay's net.

Holmqvist came ready. His positioning has been excellent, his poise unshakable.

He got lucky Wednesday when Radek Dvorak whiffed at an open net in the first period. But he also was good on Nathan Horton's dead-on shot in the first. Later in the period, he poke-checked Horton on a breakaway, and the puck dribbled past the post.

"He played unbelievable," Gratton said. "You love to see your goaltender battle like that, and he never gives up on anything."

"As long as you win," Holmqvist said, "that's what matters."

Go ahead, pat him on the back.

[Last modified October 11, 2007, 00:48:40]