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Khabibulin a Russian Olympian

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times, published March 23, 2001

TAMPA -- Nikolai Khabibulin had been talking to the Russian Federation about joining his country's Olympic team. Still, the Lightning goaltender said he was surprised when he was named Thursday to go to the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.

The Lightning's other Olympian so far is defenseman Petr Svoboda of the Czech Republic.

"I hadn't played in a couple of years," Khabibulin said before Tampa Bay's game against the Thrashers at the Ice Palace. "I feel very honored that they selected me."

The other picks were defensemen Darius Kasparaitis, Dimitri Yushkevich, Sergei Gonchar and Oleg Tverdovsky, and forwards Pavel Bure, Alexei Kovalev and Alexei Yashin.

Khabibulin did not dress as the Unified Team's third goalie at the 1992 Olympics in Albertville. He would not call the Russians the team to beat.

"Every team that has a lot of NHL players is the team to beat," he said.

Khabibulin said it will be five or six days before he even thinks about playing for the Lightning.

"Then we'll see how we feel after that," he said. "Then we'll go day by day."

MAGIC 30: Fredrik Modin hit the big 3-0 for the first time with his goal during Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the Thrashers. Funny thing was, he didn't realize he hit the milestone.

"Matthew Barnaby says, "That's your 30th. Do you want the puck?' " Modin said.

Modin will earn another honor next month when he plays for Sweden in the World Championships in Germany.

The 26-year-old said he has had discussions with Olympic general manager Anders Hedberg about playing in the Olympics. Modin was not named Wednesday when the team announced its first 10 players.

Asked if he would eventually be named, Modin said, "I can't tell you."

His smile gave him away.

DROP THE GLOVES: Lightning forward Ben Clymer and Thrashers tough guy Denny Lambert fought three seconds into Wednesday's game. What started the fracas?

"He just wanted to fight," Clymer said. "I wish there was a more scientific explanation."

ODDS AND ENDS: Defenseman Andrei Zyuzin sat out with headaches. ... Forward Alexander Kharitonov was a healthy scratch. ... Modin, center Brad Richards and goaltender Kevin Weekes will sign autographs in Suite B of the Brandon Sprint PCS Center (1916 W Brandon Blvd.) from 6-7:30 p.m. today. ... Bucs coach Tony Dungy will speak at the Ice Palace before Saturday's game. Ticket-holders can hear his speech on teamwork from 5:30-6:15 p.m.

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