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Neckar's debut positive

By KEVIN KELLY

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 9, 2001

TAMPA -- Sleep-deprived and still surprised by the news he'd been traded, Stan Neckar made a good impression in his Lightning debut on Tuesday.

"He played very well," coach John Tortorella said. "He played with a little bit of jam to him. That's something that Stan has to stay consistent with."

Neckar, a veteran of 348 career NHL games, played 15 shifts in his first game since being acquired in a five-player deal between the Lightning and Coyotes.

"I kind of tried to see how the guys played," said Neckar, who had two hits in the game. "For the first game, I hope it was all right."

The 25-year-old had four points and 63 penalty minutes in 53 games with the Coyotes this season.

"My job in Phoenix was to play hard around the net and in the corners," Neckar said, "take the puck and get rid of the forwards."

He also held another job, a hobby really, as the drummer in an unnamed band that included Coyotes goalie Sean Burke.

"I heard that some guys on this team play the guitar," Neckar said, "so maybe we can combine together."

At least three Lightning players -- Jassen Cullimore, Fredrik Modin, Adrian Aucoin -- can play guitar. Cullimore suggested Ryan Johnson as a lead singer.

"Maybe we're going to have to get something set up here," Modin joked.

STRETCH RUN: While the Lightning is playing out its schedule with an eye toward next season, Carolina is fighting to keep the eighth playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Hurricanes, 17-9-4-1 since Jan. 3, are two points ahead of Boston for the final playoff spot in the conference. Carolina, 3-1 against Boston this season, missed the playoffs by one point last year.

"Something we've learned over the last few years is the ability to bounce back," coach Paul Maurice said. "Not just after a loss, but in the games where things are going our way, keeping our composure and almost bringing a playoff mentality to each game."

GIVE AND TAKE: Modin and left wing Todd Warriner returned to the lineup against Carolina after missing two games with groin injuries.

But for what it gained on offense, Tampa Bay missed on defense with Cullimore out with an abdominal strain and Pavel Kubina recovering from a dislocated right kneecap.

Both are day-to-day.

ODDS AND ENDS: Carolina goalie Arturs Irbe made his 11th consecutive start. He has started 53 of the past 55 games. ... Lightning center Thomas Ziegler was a healthy scratch. Shane Willis (sprained ankle), David Tanabe (hip pointer) and Craig Adams were Carolina's scratches.

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