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Lightning bows to storm, puts off trip
By TIM BUCKLEY © St. Petersburg Times, published September 26, 1998 The Lightning was to have played the Stars tonight, but rescheduled the game for Oct. 5. "We told the league we can't get there," general manager Phil Esposito said. Esposito and coach Jacques Demers made the decision -- over initial objection from the Stars, concerned about revenue -- after conferring with NHL senior vice president Colin Campbell. Esposito said he did not care about the extra cost of rescheduling -- about $40,000 -- or the potential of a fine from the league. Demers cited the organization's concern for its players as the primary reason for the decision. "The most important thing was the security and the comfort of our players and their families," Demers said. "Our No. 1 priority was the players, and we let them know that. And I think the players will appreciate that we went to bat for them." Several Lightning players were less than eager to leave for Dallas. They were concerned about leaving their relatives behind to fend for themselves as the unpredictable hurricane made its way from the Florida Keys to the Gulf of Mexico. "A lot of times players have a tendency to think management and coaches could be against them, but this shows we're on their side and believe family is as important as they do," Demers said. "It's more important than playing a hockey game." The center of Georges was veering toward a track away from the Tampa Bay area by late Friday afternoon, and the Lightning still had a practice tentatively scheduled for this morning. But team members were nonetheless happy to stay close to home and prepare for the possibility of tornadoes, flooding and tropical-storm damage. "Dallas wanted to play, but Phil and Jacques did a good job," Lightning captain Mikael Renberg said. "There are things more important than hockey." At one point, the Lightning was considering sending a lineup of single players so those with wives and children could stay behind. "We might be able to have a team of players go over there, but the coaches have families, the trainers have families, some of the players have families," said defenseman Cory Cross, the team's representative to the NHL Players Association. "It's just common sense to not go." The Oct. 5 game is two days after what was to have been the Lightning's last preseason game, against Florida at the Ice Palace. Tampa Bay also plays the Panthers on Oct. 2 in Jacksonville. "Three games in four nights before the season starts (Oct. 9)," Demers said. "That's great." Yet Demers, trying to trim his roster from 32 to 24, was disappointed not to have one more preseason game in which he could evaluate some of the organization's younger talent. He was not alone. "It's a game that's important to guys on the bubble, but there's nothing you can do about it," said wing Brent Peterson, one of those on the bubble. "It's frustrating, but you can't worry about it." Instead, Lightning players and staff worried about preparing for the hurricane. "What should you do?" Renberg asked. "Should I fill the tub with water?" "I have to get back before the bridge goes up," said wing Alex Selivanov, who jogged out of the Ice Palace so he could make it back in time to secure his home in St. Pete Beach. "We packed up the valuables and left," said Lightning assistant general manager Tony Esposito, who left his beach-front home Friday morning. "What else can you do? You can't beat it." NOTES: Selivanov and his wife, Carrie, the daughter of Phil Esposito, are the new parents of a boy. Niko Selivanov -- 6 pounds, 8 ounces -- was born Wednesday. ... Wing Stephane Richer (tendinitis, left ankle) practiced and had no problems skating. ... Defenseman Cory Cross was bothered after practice by a pulled muscle in his lower back.
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AMPA -- Respect for Hurricane Georges, and regard for Lightning players, prompted team officials to postpone a preseason trip to Dallas.
