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Goalie Weekes basking in his moment in the sun

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times, published November 16, 2000

TORONTO -- Goaltender Kevin Weekes sat in the Lightning locker room Tuesday night in the Molson Centre in Montreal looking as fresh as could be expected after a grueling 34-save, 1-0 victory over the Canadiens.

Someone asked if he was tired. After all, he has made 10 consecutive starts and has played in 13 of the past 14 games.

"I don't feel tired," Weekes said. "We're too young to be tired."

Weekes, whose shutout was the Lightning's first on the road since October 1998, will make his 11th straight start Friday night, when Tampa Bay faces the Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre.

The 25-year-old Toronto native has been at the forefront of four wins in five games which has put Tampa Bay atop the Southeast Division.

Weekes stopped 152 of 162 shots in the stretch (a .938 save percentage) and improved his record to 6-6.

"Positionally, he's so good right now," goaltenders coach Jeff Reese said. "He's making the game a lot simpler."

Weekes picked a great time to get hot. Dan Cloutier hasn't played since Oct. 21 because of tendinitis in his left biceps and still is getting into game shape.

Weekes looked dominating in stopping Craig Rivet's breakaway midway through the third period with a quick glove hand.

"I saw him coming and anticipated he'd go to the glove side," Weekes said.

He anticipates more success.

"You have to shoot for the stars," he said. "That's something we're working toward, but it's a day-by-day process."

For Weekes, it's more like a save-by-save process.

GOT YOUR BACK: After Vinny Lecavalier scored against the Canadiens, Rivet knocked Lecavalier down and into the boards.

Defenseman Paul Mara took exception and went after Rivet. The teams came together and Rivet, Mara and Todd Warriner were called for roughing.

"He hit him a little late," Mara said. "That's the second or third time that's happened to Vinny after a goal. ... Vinny, or any player, has to know your teammates are going to stick up for you. We're not a big fighting team, but as a team, we're tough."

INJURIES: Rivet got cheap revenge in the third by pushing Mara from behind into the net. Mara suffered a hip pointer that likely will keep him out of Friday's game. Also, defenseman Craig Millar probably is out with soreness below the ribs.

Defenseman Petr Svoboda (lower back strain) is expected to play. Forward Wayne Primeau (left heel contusion) also might be back.

ODDS AND ENDS: As the Southeast leader, the Lightning has the No. 3 playoff seed. Without the first-place distinction, it was one point out of the final playoff spot. ... The team didn't have a hat trick, shutout or overtime win last season. It has all three this season.

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