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31 days of terror known as January

The first month of the year has been a lean one for Tampa Bay, 5-44-3 in that time since 1998.

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 29, 2001

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Lightning forward Martin St. Louis used to really enjoy January.

And why not? It's a fresh start, a turn of the page, with resolutions that lead to high expectations.

But that's all over now. With Tampa Bay managing one victory in the month's first 13 games, St. Louis never will look at January the same way.

"Who," he asked after Sunday's practice, "would like this month?"

January always has been one of hockey's most difficult months. The newness of the season is gone, injuries likely are mounting, and the final push for the playoffs has yet to crank up.

For the Lightning, though, the month has been a real pain in the you-know-what. The team is 29-71-8 in January. The past four seasons, it is a hold-your-nose 5-44-3.

Two games remain this month, including tonight's against the Hurricanes at the Entertainment and Sports Arena, and Tuesday's against the Panthers at the Ice Palace.

"It hasn't been the resolution I was hoping for," forward Brian Holzinger said of January.

So what's behind this January jinx? Nobody could say for sure. It is clear, however, that the 2001 version has presented a series of obstacles that have kept the Lightning on its heels.

It started when former coach Steve Ludzik applied the pressure by saying the month could make or break the season. Ludzik was fired Jan. 6, John Tortorella was promoted to coach, and Craig Ramsay was hired as an associate coach.

Captain Vinny Lecavalier fractured his left foot Jan. 12 against the Flyers and may not be back for another two weeks. Defenseman Petr Svoboda has not recovered from a December concussion.

Then there is the schedule, which has the Lightning on the road for 10 of 15 games. Not that home ice has been a huge advantage of late; Tampa Bay has lost five straight at the Ice Palace.

Still, "I have never in my career have seen a schedule like ours this year," general manager Rick Dudley said. "I don't know what the NHL was doing when they did it. It's the hardest schedule I've ever seen. With all that happened to us, we didn't have time to regroup."

True, Tortorella said. But guess what: We're all big boys here.

"It's been a busy month, and for a younger team, I think it affects individuals," he said. "It's something we have to learn to deal with, especially with a young team.

"I think we realize with Vinny out, he's our captain ... I know he was struggling, but he can still score a big goal here and a big goal there, and then you may have an opportunity for a couple of wins instead of losses."

Instead, the Lightning has lost nine straight and 13 of 14 going back to Dec. 31. Also disturbing: Tampa Bay has been bum-rushed 17-3 in the third period during its past eight games.

In the relentless search for positives in this wretched stretch, Lightning players have continued to work hard and the coaching staff has been patient with its lesson plans.

Tampa Bay has entered the third period behind by one goal, tied or ahead by one in seven of its past eight games. In other words, the team is giving itself chances to win. It just hasn't been able to close the deal.

"The more you bitch and moan about it, the more time you take away from what you're supposed to do," St. Louis said. "Today's a new day. February will be a new month."

Hey, Tortorella said, two games are left in January.

"I'm looking short term here," the coach said. "Take it day by day, period by period, shift by shift. We're going to continue working to get better at this. For us to whine and feel sorry for ourselves, we just can't do it."

Sounds like a good resolution -- for any month.

Tonight: Lightning at Hurricanes

WHEN/WHERE: 7; Entertainment and Sports Arena, Raleigh, N.C.

TV/RADIO: Sunshine; WDAE-AM 620.

THE LOWDOWN: The Lightning reassigned D Marek Posmyk to the IHL's Detroit Vipers and called up RW Matt Elich, who had seven goals and seven assists in 31 games. ... Lightning F Alexander Kharitonov (bruised knee) practiced Sunday. F Ryan Johnson had blood drained from a badly bruised left big toe. He said he will play. ... Carolina has lost three of its past four and three straight at home after a team-record nine-game home unbeaten streak. ... Tampa Bay has lost nine straight and 13 of its past 14. It is an NHL-worst 4-20-2-2 on the road. ... Carolina goaltender Arturs Irbe has made 36 consecutive starts. ... The Lightning will decide on a goaltender today. ... Carolina F Rod Brind'Amour has assists in five consecutive games. ... The Hurricanes have the league's No. 3 penalty kill with an 87.6 percent efficiency. ... The Lightning has converted seven of its past 103 power-play chances. ... This is the fourth of five meetings between the teams. Carolina leads the season series 2-1, the all-time series 20-10-5 and is 13-3-2 at home. -- Compiled by Damian Cristodero.

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