Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Lightning shuts out Kings

Tampa Bay scores three goals in eight minutes. Nikolai Khabibulin makes 28 saves in a 3-0 win.

By JOANNE KORTH

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 26, 2001

TAMPA -- It looked bleak.

Power plays were squandered. Players were manhandled -- one even got the wind knocked out of him. Shots on goal were scant as for nearly 20 minutes, the Lightning cowered.

[Times photo: Dan McDuffie] Jimmie Olvestad checks Ziggy Palffy into the boards during Thursday night's game against the Kings.

Last season, there might not have been a happy ending.

Determined to shake off a sluggish first period, Tampa Bay exploded for three goals in the second period in a 3-0 victory against Los Angeles on Thursday before 12,957 at the Ice Palace.

In doing so, the Lightning showed something that seemed in short supply in previous seasons: resolve.

"The most important part of the game was that we struggled through the first period, but the score was 0-0," coach John Tortorella said. "We weren't hurt. We regrouped, found our legs and found a way to get it done."

After an 0-3 start, the Lightning improved to 4-4-1, the latest it has been .500 since the 14th game of the 1998-99 season, when it was 6-6-2.

The Lightning, which won 1-0 at Los Angeles nearly two weeks ago despite being outplayed physically, again was roughed up early. Near the end of the first period, defenseman Cory Sarich fought back. Sticking up for teammate Brian Holzinger, he got the better of Kings wing Kelly Buchberger but received 17 minutes in penalties, including a 10-minute game misconduct for instigating.

But the message was sent.

"Part of it was being frustrated with myself. Part of it was sticking up for a teammate, and part of it was to get the team motivated," said Sarich, who earlier left the game after a hit by Adam Deadmarsh knocked the wind out of him. "I think it gave us a lift."

Inspired, the Lightning turned to the smallest man on its roster for the ultimate retaliation.

Matching a career high for points in a game, right wing Martin St. Louis -- 5 feet 9, 185 pounds -- had a goal and two assists in an eight-minute flurry.

"Marty St. Louis is as good as any player we've seen this year," Los Angeles coach Andy Murray said. "I really like him."

The Lightning took a 1-0 lead 10:17 into the period on Fredrik Modin's fourth goal of the season, with assists from Brad Richards and St. Louis.

Forty-one seconds later, St. Louis scored his fourth of the season, assisted by Richards and Stan Neckar.

The Lightning's next goal was trademark St. Louis. Forechecking while killing a penalty, St. Louis beat defenseman Philippe Boucher to the puck, spun and fed Neckar trailing the play.

Necker beat a sliding Jamie Storr stick side for his first goal with the Lightning and first in 42 games, since Jan.21.

The goal was Tampa Bay's first short-handed goal.

"Our composure after the first period is a big, big plus," said Tortorella, whose team plays its next five on the road after a 2-0-1 homestand. "We didn't panic.

"We found a way to score some goals."

Nearly overshadowed by the offensive explosion -- the Lightning easily could have scored three more goals despite being outshot 28-18 -- was goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin's first shutout since April 17, 1999.

Lightning players blocked shots and dived for pucks in the closing minutes in an effort to preserve the shutout.

Tampa Bay's seven goals allowed in the past six games is a franchise record.

"When you go out there, you try to stop every puck. But you never expect a shutout," Khabibulin said.

"The players are making every effort to help the goalie, and if there is a breakdown, I'm going to make every effort to stop the puck. It makes you feel so much better to see that kind of effort."

First period -- None. Penalties -- Deadmarsh, LA (holding stick), :27; Allison, LA (elbowing), 2:51; Lecavalier, TB (ob.-holding), 10:57; Buchberger, LA, minor-major, (boarding, fighting), 19:40; Sarich, TB, minor-major-misconduct (instigator, fighting).

Second period -- 1, Tampa Bay, Modin 4 (Richards, St. Louis), 10:17. 2, Tampa Bay, St. Louis 4 (Richards, Neckar), 10:58. 3, Neckar 1 (St. Louis, Modin), 17:46 (sh). Penalties -- Smolinksi, LA (tripping), 2:04; Eloranta, LA (elbowing), 4:21; Clymer, TB (slashing) 15:47.

Third period -- None. Penalties -- Kubina, TB (slashing), 1:24; Tampa Bay bench, served by Barnaby (too many men), 6:20; Eloranta, LA (tripping), 7:49; Sarich (ob.-tripping), 8:26; Schneider, LA (ob.-holding), 13:01.

Shots on goal -- Los Angeles 12-7-9-28. Tampa Bay 5-7-6-18. Power-play opportunities -- Los Angeles 0 of 5; Tampa Bay 0 of 6. Goalies -- Los Angeles, Storr 0-1-0 (18 shots-15 saves). Tampa Bay, Khabibulin 3-4-1 (28-28). Attendance -- 12,957 (19,758). Referees -Stephane Auger, Greg Kimmerly. Linesmen -- Greg Devorski, Jean Morin.

UP NEXT: Lightning at Atlanta, 7 p.m. Saturday, WDAE-AM 620.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright