Stint in minors benefited forwards

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published November 29, 2007

CHICAGO - There is nothing like a trip to the minors to keep things in perspective. Just ask Lightning forwards Mathieu Darche and Craig MacDonald.

"It lets you know you can never let a breath out," Darche said. "You can never be comfortable."

But both said they are better for the experience that began with a Nov. 13 demotion to AHL Norfolk, which was more about Tampa Bay trying to stay within a $44-million payroll budget than what was happening on the ice.

"It did come down to a little bit of business as far as our budget is concerned," coach John Tortorella said. "We never really sent people down for the wrong reason. It wasn't the wrong reason. You have to live by your budget.

"But general manager Jay Feaster and I didn't have a great taste in our mouths as far as when we talk about merit and people being here. So I'm really happy they're back. They did some good things."

Darche, recalled Nov. 20, and MacDonald, recalled six days later, could have been bitter. Instead, both said they appreciated the Lightning's honesty and vowed on a shared plane ride from Tampa to Hartford, Conn., where they caught up with the Admirals, they would make the most of their situation.

"We were disappointed but said it wasn't going to help if we would stand around and pout," MacDonald said. "We helped push each other. We said, 'Let's play as well as we can every time we're on the ice while we're down there.'

"The coach gave us a lot of opportunities, and we took advantage of it."

Darche had three goals and 10 points in four games, MacDonald three goals and 11 points in seven games.

"We tell them that: 'Don't screw it up and drag your lip down there,'" Tortorella said. "You've got to conduct yourself as a pro, and that's going to get you back here quicker. So here they are."

A NICE CHANGE: The game with the Blackhawks was Tampa Bay's first outside the East. About time, said Tortorella, who admitted it gets stale seeing the same teams over and over.

The Lightning this season faces teams from the Western Conference's Central and Northwest divisions once and teams from the Pacific not at all.

"It's just another game for us. That's how we're approaching it," he said. "But my personal view, I'd like to see all the other teams."

ODDS AND ENDS: Injured center Ryan Craig and wife Jaydee on Monday had their second child, a boy, Carson Emery, 7 pounds, 7 ounces. ... MacDonald said pregnant wife Amanda will be induced on Wednesday. ... Forward Andreas Karlsson was a healthy scratch.

Damian Cristodero can be reached at cristodero@sptimes.com.

[Last modified November 29, 2007, 00:01:29]