Sports: Richards, Lecavalier to play in Worlds

Richards, Lecavalier to play in Worlds

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

TAMPA -- Lightning captain Vinny Lecavalier and rookie of the year candidate Brad Richards were named Thursday to the Canadian national team that will play in next month's World Championships in Germany.

"A great honor," Lecavalier said.

"A dream come true," Richards said.

Five other players were been named: Buffalo's Michael Peca, Anaheim's Jeff Friesen, Calgary's Jarome Iginla and Derek Morris and Chicago's Steve Sullivan.

Tampa Bay left wing Fredrik Modin previously was named for Sweden.

Team Canada begins a one-week training camp April 19 in Finland. The tournament runs from April 28-May 13.

"It's like being in the playoffs," Lecavalier said. "It will be good to get used to that because we want to play here in May and June."

Lecavalier said the larger ice surface and wide open international game might help him get out of the slump that, going into Thursday night's game against the Canadiens at the Ice Palace, had reached seven goals in 36 games.

"Maybe it's going to help me get a little bit of my offensive skills back," he said.

Lecavalier and Richards, centers, know a good showing could get them considered for the Olympics.

"That's a little thing in the back of your head, for sure," Richards said. "I don't know after one year in the NHL to think it's a realistic goal. But at the same time, if you do well, you don't know what can happen."

ON THE PINE: Forward Alexander Kharitonov was scratched for the sixth time in seven games. In the one game he played, he was on the ice for 3:39.

"He's going through the process of learning," coach John Tortorella said. "He has to learn to play without the puck and with determination."

Kharitonov has seven goals and 14 assists this season, but only two goals and five assists in his past 28 games.

"He's not playing right now as well as some of the others," Tortorella said.

GIRL SCOUTS AND HOCKEY: The Lightning will hold a Girl Scout Extravaganza at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Ice Sports Forum in Brandon. The event, open to scouts in the Tampa Bay area, features a three-hour educational clinic and a one-hour broomball/free skate session.

The cost is $20 per person and includes a Lightning hat and a ticket to Sunday's game against the Sabres at the Ice Palace.

For information, call Kristy Bauer at (813) 301-6505.

ODDS AND ENDS: Defenseman Kristian Kudroc was a healthy scratch. ... Montreal's Jose Theodore is one of six goalies to score a regular-season goal.