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Lecavalier says he wants to play; Ludzik: he may sit out preseason

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times, published September 19, 2000

BRANDON -- Vinny Lecavalier said his hyperextended left elbow is 98 percent healed. Head medical trainer Dave Boyer put the estimate at 99.9.

Despite that progress, Lecavalier will not play in tonight's preseason game against the Capitals at the Ice Palace.

That toes the line drawn by coach Steve Ludzik, who said after Sunday night's 2-1 victory over the Hurricanes that Lecavalier will not play unless he's 100 percent.

Ludzik took it a step further after Monday's practice at the Ice Sports Forum, saying the 20-year-old captain may sit through the preseason.

"I wouldn't look for Vinny in exhibitions at all," Ludzik said. "He's sore. It doesn't make sense."

General manager Rick Dudley said, "You've got an asset like that, you don't want to risk it in an exhibition game."

Lecavalier, who should resume full practices today, wants to play in the final preseason games, Thursday against the Panthers at the Ice Palace and Sept. 26 against Florida at TECO Arena in Estero.

"I want to play in two games just to get in game shape," he said.

KEEFE'S TIME: Sheldon Keefe, who is fighting for a roster spot and a contract, returns to the lineup tonight after a disappointing game Saturday night.

"I didn't play as well as I wanted," said the right wing, who was scratched from Sunday night's game. "But I'm feeling pretty good."

Ludzik predicted Keefe will have a big game, and Dudley said, "Sheldon will play with heart and passion and work as hard as he can work."

Still, time is of the essence.

"We're going to make a decision very quickly on him because he is not signed," Dudley said.

PROVING HIMSELF: Dan Cloutier knows his reputation among his teammates.

"They know I can be hot and they know I can be cold," the goaltender said.

That's why Sunday night's 2-1 victory, in which Cloutier made 29 saves, including one on a penalty shot with one second remaining, was so important.

"I just have to keep showing more consistency," he said. "To keep it going, I have to work hard."

INJURY UPDATE: Left wing Fredrik Modin (sore groin) will play tonight. Boyer said that as a precaution, defenseman Sergey Gusev (right knee), who began full practices Sunday, likely will not play in preseason.

EDUCATING NIKITA: Nikita Alexeev, the Lightning's first-round draft choice this year, played in his first NHL game Saturday night and said he was "shocked" at the pace.

"But after 10 minutes I got used to it," he said.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound 18-year-old still is unsigned. He said he told his agent not to tell him about contract negotiations.

"I just want to concentrate on hockey," said Alexeev, who is hurting from an emergency root canal. "If it's clear I am on the team, then he can tell me what's going on."

Tonight: Lightning vs. Capitals

WHEN/WHERE: 7; Ice Palace, Tampa.

RADIO: WDAE-AM 620.

THE LOWDOWN: The Lightning is 1-1 in preseason after spitting weekend games with the Hurricanes. Kevin Weekes will start in goal for the Lightning. Washington features Lightning killer Peter Bondra. The right wing has 33 goals in 33 regular-season games against Tampa Bay. The Caps will be without left wing Chris Simon and defenseman Sergei Gonchar.

Tonight's lineup:

Goaltenders: Kevin Weekes, Dan Cloutier.

Forwards: Stan Drulia, Gordie Dwyer, Nils Ekman, Mike Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Sheldon Keefe, Fredrik Modin, Wayne Primeau, Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis Todd Warriner, Thomas Ziegler.

Defensemen: Pavel Kubina, Kristian Kudroc, Paul Mara, Bryan Muir, Cory Sarich, Petr Svoboda

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