Holmqvist shines when called upon
When a slow night suddenly turns busy, the goalie comes through.
By EDUARDO A. ENCINA, Times Staff Writer
Published December 7, 2007
TAMPA - If there was any disappointment for the Lightning on Thursday night, it was that it couldn't give goaltender Johan Holmqvist the ultimate reward.
But for Holmqvist, who stopped 23 shots and fell just 14 seconds short of his first shutout of the season, the Lightning's 2-1 victory over the Hurricanes at the St. Pete Times Forum was enough.
"I didn't really care as long as we win the game," Holmqvist said.
The win, which gave the Lightning a league-high 23 points at home, was its third straight overall and third in four games against the Southeast Division-leading Hurricanes this season. It left Tampa Bay five points out of the division lead with a game in hand.
The Lightning (13-13-2), which entered 1-8 when scoring two or fewer goals, didn't need its customary offensive firepower. It rode Holmqvist, who withstood a late second-period flurry after having not being tested much.
"The second period was a little different because I didn't see a lot of action in that period," Holmqvist said.
"It was going to come sooner or later, and when they got that power play, I thought it was a good chance of getting involved in the game. I do what I have to do."
Carolina (15-11-3) had just eight shots through the game's first 30 minutes. But when a Tampa Bay penalty for too many men on the ice gave Carolina a power play with 2:33 left in the second - one of its five man-advantages on the night - Holmqvist was suddenly under attack.
"It's a tough position for Holmer in getting absolutely nothing as far as work and then on that power play, he made about five or six straight saves," coach John Tortorella said. "That's a huge part of the game."
Holmqvist made his best save with 1:02 left in the period, stopping Jeffrey Hamilton's slap shot from the high slot then diving to his left to stop Cory Stillman's rebound attempt, clipping the puck with his glove.
"You just kind of look at each other," forward Marty St. Louis said. "You're a little bit in awe. You just want to go out there and help him out."
The Lightning gave Holmqvist just enough help, scoring a pair of power-play goals.
Vinny Lecavalier scored with 4:00 left in the first from the top of the right faceoff circle. St. Louis scored on a slap shot from the high slot that hit off the left post 12:45 into the third that turned out the be the winner.
Holmqvist continued his success against the Hurricanes, improving his record against them to 6-2 with a 1.55 goals-against average and .935 save percentage.
"He made some big saves, especially on our power plays," Stillman said.
"It seemed like that was the only time we were getting opportunities."
A deflection by Stillman put Carolina on the scoreboard, but it did little to take away from Holmqvist's performance.
"He's a gamer," defenseman Shane O'Brien said. "In the beginning of the year, maybe people were questioning him. But he's been a big part of most of the wins we've had this year. Holmer is the man."