Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
By KEVIN KELLY
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 25, 2000
TAMPA -- Brad Ference couldn't button his shirt, buckle his belt or slip on his black wing-tips fast enough.
Teammates glared as they munched on post-game pizza. Reporters circled.
"I've only played seven games this year," Ference said, "and I haven't played very well yet."
The 21-year-old Panthers defenseman, a veteran of just 20 games, endured a dreadful night Friday at the Ice Palace.
In the first of back-to-back games against the Panthers' intrastate rival, he scored two goals -- for the opposition.
"How would you feel?" Ference said.
Two rebounds went off his stick and past goalie Trevor Kidd.
The first was bad. The second, at 12:06 into the second, hurt a lot worse.
With no Lightning players within 10 feet of him, Ference gathered a rebound, turned to clear the puck and sent a soft shot toward Kidd.
"The puck was laying there and I was going to clear it," said Ference, a healthy scratch the four previous games. "I guess, right in the middle of my shot, I just kind of whiffed on it ... and it went through his legs."
RE-ENFORCEMENT: Left wing Kyle Freadrich was recalled from the IHL's Detroit Vipers after Steve Martins went on injured reserve with a groin injury.
The 6-foot-7, 260-pound Freadrich had 1 goal, 1 assist and 27 penalty minutes in 9 games in the IHL. On his first shift Friday he was called for a 10-minute major after a tussle with Florida left wing Peter Worrell.
HURTING PANTHERS: The Panthers were without seven key players.
Forwards Ray Whitney, who is second on the team with 12 points, and Viktor Kozlov were game-time scratches. Right wing Paul Laus (groin), defenseman Mike Wilson (shoulder), center Igor Larionov (hip flexor), center Mike Sillinger (broken foot) and right wing Scott Mellanby (back) are on the injured reserve list.
ODDS AND ENDS: Center Vinny Lecavalier was awarded the 2000 Tampa Bay Lightning Jasper MVP Award on Friday, an award voted on by fans. ... Alexander Kharitonov (concussion) was examined, did not play and will not travel to Sunrise for today's game against Florida. Defenseman Paul Mara (bruised abdominal muscle) will travel but not play.
WHEN/WHERE: 7:30; National Car Rental Center, Sunrise.
TV: Citrus County: Ch. 18 for upgrade, digital and Black Diamond, Ch. 20 for regular system; Hernando: Ch. 18 for upgrade and digital; Hillsborough: Ch. 44; Pinellas: Ch. 7; Pasco: Ch. 62 on cable-ready TVs, Ch. 67 with a cable box; Verizon Media (Clearwater, Pinellas Park): Ch. 525; Moffat Communications (Zephyrhills), Ch. 2. Call (866) 835-3562 for information.
RADIO: WDAE-AM 620.
THE LOWDOWN: The Lightning has not won a road game against the Panthers since a 2-1 victory April 10, 1996. This is the second of five meetings between the two this season and second in as many days. Tampa Bay is 2-3-0-1 in back-to-back games this season. Center Brad Richards regained the rookie points lead. He has 18 after getting an assists against Florida. Florida is on a 1-for-44 power-play skid. Defenseman Petr Svoboda is two points shy of 400 for his career. Center Vinny Lecavalier needs two goals to tie Darcy Tucker for eighth place (49 goals) on the Lightning all-time scoring list. The Panthers were outshot in their first four wins. Florida forward Pavel Bure has six goals in his past seven. The Lightning has four players on the injured reserve list. The Panthers have five.