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Drought goes on for Vinny

"Maybe it's bad luck.''

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 30, 2001

TORONTO -- Anybody seen a goal?

Anywhere. Any kind. Off a post. Off a leg. Off any body part.

That's about how Vinny Lecavalier feels about going zero-for-the-season. The Lightning's 21-year-old center is frustrated. But he wears his eight-game goose egg well.

It helps the team is on a 4-2-1 streak that Lecavalier said has lessened the pressure. Plus, Lecavalier thinks he is playing fairly well.

Coach John Tortorella has an inkling Lecavalier's drought has to do with missing training camp because of a contract holdout. Lecavalier disagrees, but that debate will come later.

Whatever the problem, Lecavalier, who has two assists, is loose.

When approached by reporters Monday, Lecavalier laughed and said, "I was surprised you guys took (eight) games. I was wondering when you were going to come."

He is wondering the same thing about his first goal.

"I've had the chances. I just have to bury them," he said. "It's not a lack of confidence. I don't think it's timing. I'm at a point where it's kind of wanting it too much. Maybe instead of making the play, I'm shooting too early."

That's what happened in the Saturday's third period against the Thrashers. With the game tied at 3 in what would be a 4-3 loss, Lecavalier had the puck in front of the net. Lecavalier said, "I got so nervous, I shot without looking." And the puck hit goaltender Milan Hnilicka in the head.

Against the Kings Thursday, Brad Richards served up an open net for Lecavalier with a terrific pass. Lecavalier missed the puck.

"Maybe it's bad luck," Lecavalier said. "Maybe I'm just getting nervous. I'm confident in my game. After I get one (goal), my confidence in scoring will be there, and I'll get more potent with it."

This is not new for Lecavalier. He had an 11-game drought last season that extended to one goal in 17 games.

It was a big story then. It could turn into a bigger one now. He missed training camp while working out a four-year, $10.2-million deal with options that could up the total to $14-million.

And though, Lecavalier said he feels no pressure to justify his contract, Tampa Bay is not paying him that kind of money to hit goaltenders in the head.

He also is trying to bounce back from a discouraging season in which he not battled a series of injuries -- including a broken foot that kept him out 14 games -- and admittedly had trouble meshing his skills with Tortorella's team concept.

The coach said the process would be easier had Lecavalier been in camp.

"Vinny is going through his camp (now)," Tortorella said. "It's a tough thing."

Not at all, said Lecavalier, who missed the season's first two games getting into playing shape. But Richards, Lecavalier's best friend, said, "He realizes he missed training camp, and it took a few games to get his feet back."

There are good signs. Lecavalier is minus-2, meaning he is taking better care defensively. He has been initiating body contact and not breaking off plays in frustration when things don't click.

"I think he's been attentive and trying to play the full game," Tortorella said. "I think the wrong message was sent last year. It wasn't just his defense. We wanted him to understand the whole spectrum of the game."

At the same time, he said, "We don't want to saddle a creative guy."

Lecavalier appeared to find that creativity against the Thrashers on a line with Vinny Prospal and Ben Clymer. Tortorella wouldn't say if that combination will be in play tonight against the Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre.

But he expressed confidence in his young star.

"For us to be a good team, Vinny has to be a big part of it," Tortorella said. "He'll work his way through."

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