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Modin looking to regain touch

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 15, 2000

PHOENIX -- The cannon that is Fredrik Modin's shot has, at least temporarily, grown silent.

The Lightning left wing with the 102.1 mph slap shot had just three goals in his past 12 games heading into Thursday night's matchup against the Coyotes at America West Arena.

He was still second on the team with 13 goals (on pace for 39), was tied for second with 23 points and was one of only three Lightning players with a plus rating (plus-2).

But Modin's first job is to score.

"That's not very good," Modin said of his streak. "I've had some chances. I just haven't put the puck in the net."

Modin had a charley horse severe enough for him to sit out Dec. 8 against the Avalanche. But Modin, who had eight goals in his first 10 games, said he is feeling good, and coach Steve Ludzik said Modin is healthy.

"I don't know," Ludzik said when asked about Modin's drought. "You have to ask him."

"There's nothing to blame," Modin said. "It's part of the ups and downs of the game. I just have to work through it."

UP AND DOWN: He played lights-out for two games, yet goaltender Dieter Kochan was sent to the IHL's Detroit Vipers on Wednesday because it didn't want to lose him through waivers.

Kochan joined the Lightning last week on emergency recall after Kevin Weekes sprained his right knee. That meant that when Weekes was activated, Kochan had to return to Detroit unless his status was converted to a regular recall.

Had that been done, and because Kochan was older than 24 when he signed his contract -- he was 25 -- he would have had to clear waivers before returning to Detroit.

"With the way he played," assistant general manager Jay Feaster said, "someone would have taken a chance on him."

To avoid waiver problems, Feaster said Kochan likely will be brought up only on emergency recalls.

VISOR VINNY: Vinny Lecavalier joined six other Lightning players wearing visors.

The captain had resisted because he said they were uncomfortable. But after wearing a full face mask to protect the nose he broke last month against the Canadiens, he said the half-shield "doesn't seem so bad."

Center Brad Richards also is wearing a visor.

ODDS AND ENDS: Defenseman Andrei Zyuzin (concussion) returned after missing nine of 10 games. ... Forward Stan Drulia (back spasms) was scratched. ... Defensemen Maxim Galanov and left wing Kyle Freadrich were healthy scratches.

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