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Players being warned to be nice on the ice

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 4, 2001

TAMPA -- The NHL announced recently that the crackdown by its officials that began last season will continue. Stick infractions, especially slashing, will again be the main focus.

But hits to the head, line changes (making sure players coming off the ice are at most 5 feet from the bench before they are replaced), diving and obstruction will be policed with enthusiasm.

That means more penalties, which will make the Lightning's efforts to cut down on shorthanded situations that much tougher. Tampa Bay was the league's sixth-most penalized team last season. Not a good situation if your penalty kill is ranked 17th.

So coach John Tortorella has preached discipline during training camp.

"All training camp," defenseman Cory Sarich said after Wednesday's practice at the Ice Palace. "It's a big issue because special teams win games."

Tortorella was careful to put the onus on his players and not the referees.

"One part of that is understanding how the game is called," he said. "The biggest concern is not what the refs are doing but what we're doing."

"You may want to steer clear of the running picks and things that could get you in trouble," Sarich said. "But you don't want to get to the point where it interferes with you doing your job."

VINNY WATCH: Lightning players said they keep track of negotiations between the team and 21-year-old captain Vinny Lecavalier, but it does not dominate conversation.

"It hasn't been something we discuss as a team, but we talk about it among ourselves in groups," goaltender Kevin Weekes said. "We hope something can be done sooner or later."

"I think the feeling is the Lightning is going to find a way to get him signed somehow," said center Brad Richards, Lecavalier's best friend. "We've got a good hockey team right now, and another big body down the middle like Vinny will make the season more exciting."

Left wing Nikita Alexeev said the players are "wondering what's going on," but added, "There's nothing we can do. We just have to do our jobs."

LET'S GO, ALREADY: Tortorella said Wednesday's practice was a bit sluggish, and he wasn't surprised considering it was the 22nd day of training camp and the team played just five preseason games.

"They want to play a game that means something," the coach said.

"The routine," Weekes said, "has become routine."

INJURIES: Richards (groin) and defenseman Jassen Cullimore (sprained right knee) practiced. Tortorella said both are expected to play in Friday night's opener against the Islanders at the Ice Palace.

He also said defenseman Nolan Pratt (broken right foot) probably will be put on injured reserve, meaning defenseman Kristian Kudroc likely will remain with the team.

Pratt is expected to be out at least four weeks.

ODDS AND ENDS: About 1,500 tickets remain for Friday's game, including 200 $8 seats available only on game day. All tickets can be purchased at the Ice Palace box office, through Ticketmaster or by calling (813) 301-6600. ... The Lightning's Glitz & Sticks charity event, held Tuesday night for the Tampa General Hospital Foundation, grossed $97,000. Spokesman Bill Wickett said the donation, after expenses, is expected to be more than $60,000.

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