Slap Shots: A long time coming

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published December 9, 2007

When the Flames face the Lightning on Thursday at the St. Pete Times Forum, it will be Calgary's first game there since losing Game 7 of the 2004 Stanley Cup final. ¶ Captain Jarome Iginla, on a recent conference call, said he couldn't believe it has been that long. But the memories of that game and hearing the Lightning celebrate through the walls of the quiet visiting dressing room still resonate.

"It feels like yesterday when I think about it, hearing them play We Are the Champions," Iginla said. "You could hear the roar of the crowd, and you knew it was a different player grabbing the Cup. We knew we were so close, and it could have been us. That was one of the hardest things I had to go through."

Iginla, who entered Saturday tied for fifth in the league with 38 points (16 goals and 22 assists), said he is glad next season's revamped schedule ensures the Cup finalists play.

Because of the 2004-05 lockout and the 2005-06 schedule, which did not pit the Southeast against the Northwest, the Lightning and Flames did not play until March 2007 in Calgary.

"I know we were disappointed we did not get a chance to play them right after the next year," Iginla said. "The teams should play in some kind of showcase, maybe not in the beginning of the season because it's so shortly after, but sometime during the year. The rivalry would definitely be there."

Still going

After sitting out almost all of last season with the Lightning as a healthy scratch, Luke Richardson is proving he can still play.

The Senators defenseman is averaging 10:56 of ice time and has played in 26 of 28 games.

"Every player just wants a chance to play, and I'm getting that," Richardson said before last week's game against Tampa Bay. "That's all I ever wanted. That's all I set out to look for (last) summer, to get a chance."

Richardson, 38, a 20-year veteran, wanted it clear he had no problem with how he was handled by the Lightning, which turned him into an unofficial assistant coach.

"I didn't have any problem last year because I knew where I stood," he said. "That's one credit to this organization. They're very up-front and honest. And for me to get an opportunity like I had at the end of last year was invaluable because ... as I continue on, I'd like to get into coaching. It was a great foot in the door."

No sympathy

Poor Sean Avery. The Rangers agitator, left, has been Public Enemy No. 1 in his native Toronto since a recent pregame dustup with the Maple Leafs' Darcy Tucker.

"I don't really like to go back anymore," Avery told the Toronto Sun. "I don't really know if I consider it my home anymore."

He said it

"I think it's a little crazy. You're seeing car bombings somewhere else, and it's not even a blurb on the news these days because of Sidney Crosby." - Flames defenseman Cory Sarich in the Calgary Herald on the frenzy surrounding the Penguin star's first visit to Calgary last week

Chill out, dude

Whenever the Wild scores and Aaron Voros is on the ice, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound spark plug flies into the celebratory huddle like he's diving into a mosh pit. Voros slaps helmets, punches chests, head butts and bangs bodies.

After a recent James Sheppard goal, "I thought he was going to knock poor Shep out," teammate Mark Parrish told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.

"Yeah, I saw colors," Sheppard said. "I'm afraid to score again."

Added Parrish: "I thought (Voros) was going to blow me right through the end boards. He flies in there, and the next thing I know, I'm 4 feet back from the pile. It's nice to see that enthusiasm, but let's save it for between the whistles."

"Maybe," Voros said, "I have to tone it down a little."

Odds and ends

Five Flyers have been suspended this season for dirty hits. General manager Paul Holmgren admitted commissioner Gary Bettman has promised harsh punishment to the team if there is a sixth. ... In the Predators' 3-1 loss to the Maple Leafs on Tuesday, Jason Arnott set a Nashville record with 12 shots on goal. He had zero goals. ... Thrashers center Eric Perrin set a franchise record Wednesday with his fifth short-handed assist of the season. "He's just a smart little guy," observed teammate Marian Hossa. ... Before Monday's 3-1 victory over the Islanders, the Bruins had not won on Long Island since Dec. 22, 2001 (0-5-1 and four ties).

Times staff writer Eduardo A. Encina contributed to this report.

[Last modified December 8, 2007, 20:30:47]