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

Sarich locked into a groove

Lightning defenseman playing quality hockey night in, night out.

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times, published December 23, 2000

TAMPA -- Let's start with a positive because, ultimately, that is what this story is about.

If you have seen Lightning defenseman Cory Sarich knocking opponents on their butts; if you have seen him rush the puck and fire a few shots on goal; and especially if you have seen him playing solidly down low in the Tampa Bay zone, holding his ground and not panicking when the going gets tough, you know he has earned this reward:

"Every night," coach Steve Ludzik said, "he's one of our top two defensemen."

Now, let's get to the negative. It must be discussed because it occurred the last time the Lightning faced the Devils, who happen to be playing Tampa Bay tonight at the Ice Palace.

It was a bad game. The defending Stanley Cup champions drop-kicked the Lightning 7-2 on Oct. 21 at Continental Airlines Arena, and Sarich made two big blunders.

In the first period, Sarich left New Jersey's Randy McKay alone in front of the net to attack Bobby Holik in the corner. Holik passed to McKay -- goal.

In the second period, Sarich positioned himself in front of Dan Cloutier. As the goaltender tried to physically move Sarich out of his way, Sergei Brylin slid in a shot from the point.

Four days later, Sarich was demoted to the IHL's Detroit Vipers.

"I had kind of blocked it all out," Sarich said after Thursday's practice at the Ice Palace. "Thanks for bringing it up."

It would have been easy for Sarich to pout when sent down. Instead, the 6-foot-3, 193-pound, 22-year-old got busy.

He has been a different player since his recall Nov. 4. Oh, there was the blip against the Stars when he was minus-4. But in 14 games since, he is a relatively solid minus-2 and is playing about 20 minutes a game.

"He's one of our best defensemen right now," Cloutier said. "He's playing the body more. He's making the first pass. When I'm in there and I see him out there, I feel good because I know he's on top of his game right now."

Compare that to the player who admitted being nervous on the ice at season's start.

He wasn't hitting, either. Troubling, considering the Lightning acquired Sarich from the Sabres in March in the Chris Gratton deal because he can throw his weight around. So Sarich was sent to the minors.

"I don't want that to happen again," he said. "There was no definite date for when I was coming back and that puts a scare into you."

Sarich said Detroit coach Brad Shaw and assistant Bobby Jay calmed his fears.

"They told me they wanted me to work hard and be an example and play like I could play," Sarich said. "The first game on defense, I was a little nervous. But I knew I could play at that level and in the NHL. The atmosphere helped me relax."

Sarich worked on defensive positioning, which did him in at New Jersey. Nine days later, he was back with the Lightning.

Sarich led the team with seven hits against the Stars. He scored against the Panthers. His minutes went up.

On one memorable play against the Avalanche, he creamed Peter Forsberg, and reinforced a lesson learned in Detroit.

"By being in position, he just skated right into me and I knocked him over," Sarich said. "Everybody thought it was such a huge hit, but it was just me being in the right spot."

Sarich also is carrying the puck up ice, something he rarely did earlier in the season.

"It's maturity," Ludzik said. "He realizes what he can do and what he can't do."

It's confidence, Sarich said.

"The game slows down as you get adusted to things," he said. "It feels like you have more time."

That can only be classified as a positive.

Tonight: Lightning vs. Devils

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30; Ice Palace, Tampa.

TV: Lightning Hockey Network; 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: Tampa Bay's power play has scored on two of its past 35 chances and has dropped in overall efficiency to 14.5 percent (26-for-179). ... The Devils have the league's No. 3 power play at 21.6 percent efficiency (25-for-116). ... The Lightning is sixth-best in the NHL at killing penalties at home, allowing eight goals in 69 short-handed situations. ... Kevin Weekes is expected to make his second straight start in goal for Tampa Bay. With his 38 saves on 39 shots Thursday against the Penguins, Weekes has raised his save percentage to .900. That is better than New Jersey's Martin Brodeur who, going into Friday night's game at Florida, was at .899. ... Before Friday night's game, Devils defenseman Colin White led all rookies with a plus-11. ... Right wing Jason Arnott had 17 points (six goals, 11 assists) in his first 12 games. ... Tampa Bay is 2-8-2 in its past 12. ... The Devils lead the series 26-6-4 and are 10-4-3 in Tampa.

-- Compiled by DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© 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