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Defenseman wants to bring that intenseness to the Lightning.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 10, 2001
BOSTON -- The thing Adrian Aucoin will always remember about Mark Messier is his face.
The two played together for three seasons with the Canucks. But even though Aucoin is now with the Lightning, traded Wednesday for goaltender Dan Cloutier, and Messier is with the Rangers, Aucoin still sees that face.
"If we got beat or won 10-0, he had the same face on, ready to play and intense," Aucoin said.
The defenseman said he will try to bring what he learned from Messier to the Lightning because Messier's message helped turn the Canucks around.
It is a delicate process. Aucoin will meet his new teammates for the first time at today's morning skate in preparation for tonight's game against the Bruins at the FleetCenter.
The 27-year-old said he would never presume to tell people what to do, especially people he doesn't know.
"You don't want to come across as a know-it-all," he said.
But he is not afraid to talk about how Messier's competitiveness and grit rubbed off on a team Aucoin said was going through many of the same growing pains as the Lightning.
"Sometimes when you lose a lot, you almost expect to lose, and that's a bad attitude to have," he said. "You have to go into a game knowing you can win instead of hoping you can win. It makes a big difference when you say, "Tonight's the night,' and you know you can step it up and come together."
The Lightning seems to come together just fine in the first two periods. It is the third -- crunch time -- when it becomes a house of cards.
In its past 12 losses, Tampa Bay has been outscored 24-3 in the third period. The Blues outscored Tampa Bay 2-0 Thursday night en route to a 4-1 victory.
Aucoin, who was flying from Vancouver to Tampa, did not see the game, but he understands a big part of the problem.
"With third-period hockey, a lot has to do with experience," he said. "When you're a young team, you tighten up. A lot of it is just confidence."
And that is where Aucoin comes in.
Even if he doesn't say anything, the 6-foot-2, 210-pounder, who is plus-13, will provide confidence on the back line, in part by effectively making the first pass out of the defensive zone.
And though Aucoin has struggled offensively this season -- he has three goals and 13 assists in 47 games -- he will be a dangerous presence on the point during the power play.
Aucoin gets shots through to the net. He scored 23 goals in 1998-99, 18 on the power play, which tied former Islanders star Denis Potvin for most by a defenseman.
"Very mobile, and he has a booming shot," said goaltender Kevin Weekes, a teammate of Aucoin's in Vancouver. "He's a trigger man on the point. He has good instincts, and he can block shots."
"He makes the easy plays and has a tremendous shot," said right wing Mike Johnson, who played with Aucoin for Canada at the 2000 World Championships. "He plays a simple game. Very efficient."
The addition of Aucoin also creates a defensive glut. Tampa Bay is carrying eight defensemen. With six dressing, the competition for playing time should be fierce.
"This is a nice fit because it creates a push, and that's healthy," coach John Tortorella said. "A young guy may have to sit out and watch, and that's part of his development."
Lucky for Aucoin he had one of the game's best players from whom to learn.
"He played every shift as if every play he makes is not the wrong one," Aucoin said of Messier. "If he made a mistake, he's not going to apologize because it's part of the game.
"It's not like you're cocky enough to think you're never going to make mistakes. But if you do, you get right back out there."
WHEN/WHERE: 7; FleetCenter, Boston.
TV/RADIO: Sunshine; WDAE-AM 620.
THE LOWDOWN: The Lightning recalled G Dieter Kochan from the IHL's Detroit Vipers. He is expected to be Kevin Weekes' backup the rest of the season. ... Tampa Bay sent G Evgeny Konstantinov to the Vipers. ... Lightning C Vinny Lecavalier (fractured left foot) practiced Friday but was unsure if he would play. He has missed 13 consecutive games. ... Lightning D Jassen Cullimore is day to day with a bruised right shin sustained Thursday night against the Blues. ... Boston C Joe Thornton is eligible to play after serving a two-game suspension for cross-checking Montreal's Johan Witehall. ... Expect Weekes to start for the Lightning. ... Boston G Byron DaFoe has started 24 consecutive games. ... The Bruins are 3-2 in their past five at home. Tampa Bay has lost 12 of its past 14, including an overtime loss. ... This is the second of four meetings between the teams. They tied 1-1 Dec. 30 at the Ice Palace. ... The Lightning hasn't won in Boston since April 1994, a stretch of 11 games (0-9-2). ... The Bruins lead the series 18-7-6 and are 11-1-3 at home.
-- Compiled by Damian Cristodero.