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It’s always fun when the Montreal media comes to town. Tampa Bay is one of their favorite teams to be around because there are so many French-speaking players on the the Lightning, including the Big Four of Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis, Brad Richards and Dan Boyle. Andre Roy was seen holding court this morning in the locker room while Mathieu Darche was in demand with a crowd around him on Monday following practice. It’s also a treat when the press corps from Montreal shows up for John Tortorella press conference and to hear the rumblings from them afterwards in regards to Torts. This morning was no exception as Tortorella was in no mood to divulge much information and was particularly short with his answers to the few questions which were asked.
Of the information he did let us know, Roy is back in the lineup after sitting out three consecutive games for disciplinary reasons. And while he didn’t acknowledge who is out in Roy’s place, it appears to be Michel Ouellet. Also, looks like Karri Ramo is back in net after Johan Holmqvist started all three games on the road trip. This will be a good test for Ramo. The last time he faced the Canadiens in Montreal Ramo had a rough third period after Tampa Bay fought back in the game to tie things at 3-3. Maybe that’s why he’s in there, to test his mental mettle. Or maybe they know that Holmqvist is good for about three consistent starts in a row before a let down. Maybe they both factor. Or maybe they just throw a dart at the wall (no, I’m just kidding, they don’t really do that).
Also looks like Cristobal Huet will get the start in net for Montreal. It was unclear when I left the building, however, if either Ryan O’Byrne or Tom Kostopoulos - who were both arrested Monday morning - would be in the lineup. Roman Hamrlik, who missed the past three games with the flu, was out on the ice and was also warming up with the mini soccer game the teams play in the hallways, was out one of the last two defensemen on the ice. O’Bryne was the other.
I wanted to drop another thing out there, as well, in regards to the sale of the team. Word through the grapvine is that the falling apart of the French bank which was to finance Oren Koules’ bid to but the Lightning happend a while back, like a couple of weeks ago. So the job of finding a new lender has been underway for longer than it seems on the surface, which may not push back the time frame as much as it seems. I’ve heard that everything remains on track and all is good until a new lender is found.
FIRST INTERMISSION
An up and down period. Montreal scores 50 seconds into the game as Chris Higgins got about 10 feet behind the Tampa Bay defense. Was that a brain cramp by the top guys? It wasn’t like Higgins pulled a Pavel Bure and was cherry picking, he was at the Canadiens’ blue line when Montreal regained control of the puck inside the Montreal zone. Then three minutes later, Tomas Plekanec gets in on another breakaway that Karri Ramo stopped. . . how bad would it have been had he scored there?
Michel Ouellet, who was scheduled to be a scratch before Andreas Karlsson was excused for personal reasons, got Tampa Bay even at 5:15, but then a bizarre series of circumstances, which started with an Andre Roy interference penalty and ended with a Shane O’Brien 10-minute misconduct despite some serious pushing and shoving on both sides, gave Montreal a power play and you can’t give the Habs too many of those opportunities as the lead the league on the power play. Plekanec got his revenge on Ramo firing off a quick one-timer from the slot after a nice play by Mark Streit to set it up.
But just as I said, “What as that’’ after Vinny Lecavalier did a spin-o-ramo like pass to Vinny Prospal behind him - and passing up an open pass to an open Paul Ranger coming down the right side - Prospal found a hole in Cristobal Huet to tie the game with 41 seconds left in the period.
Will be interesting to see how much O’Brien plays in the second period and beyond. Although the 10-minute penalty was called with 10:30 left in the period, he didn’t go to the penalty box as players normally would do. He went straight to the locker room. Same thing with Roy, as he just got out of the dog house and then he takes an offensive zone interference call to give the Habs a power play goal. Roy did not take a shift after his penalty and played 62 seconds in the period.
Keep tabs on those two situations.
SECOND INTERMISSION
A good defensive period for Tampa Bay. Only four shots on goal allowed, which has been a trend lately with the Lightning allowing few shots on goal in the second frame. That’s the good news.
The bad news, you might ask, is that the game is tied. It’s still 2-2. And Montreal has a 1:09 power play remaining to start the third period after Dan Boyle took a slashing call late. That will be a tough way to start things out....
By the way, Andre Roy did not take a shift that period. Can’t say I’m surprised, but then again, maybe I am. Roy had been playing some really good hockey lately (yeah, like I would say he’s been playing a really good soccer game, duh) and had started to earn the coach’s trust. No more, I guess as it has appeared to evaporate rather quickly.
Important period coming up.
Posted by Leanmean43, Tampa, Fl on 02/15 at 12:05 AM
Mike,
Torts won the cup with the Herbs Brooks style of coaching , so I think it translated to the pros. He was probably alot worse back then than he is now too. Most coaches in the NHL have players ticked at them, that’s just they way it is in any sport. Plus I don’t think Torts was intentionally trying to tick off Prospal. The Hlavac, Ouellet, Prospal line just wasn’t doing anything and the Richards, Lecavalier, St Louis line was. Who cares who’s mad if they’re winning and Prospal is scoring.
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 02/14 at 05:08 AM
Torts’ system has already been modified, as countless interviews with players have already mentioned. If he hadn’t modified his system, they would be even worse off.
Sullivan hasn’t done one thing to improve the defense this year.
Herb Brooks failed as a pro coach, so his attitude might have worked for amateurs, but did nothing for professionals. He’s not the first college coach to find that out. Look what happened to Lou Holz (who I admire greatly) when he went to the Jets. It’s a different game in the pros.
Posted by leanmean43, Tampa, FL on 02/14 at 12:48 AM
Another thing. You people say Tort’s system doesn’t work. Games like the Montreal game are an example of how good we can play with the aggressive system. Montreal just sat back in the trap all night while we had the puck the whole game getting alot of chances. If it weren’t for Huet it would have been 6-2.
Posted by leanmean43, Tampa, FL on 02/14 at 12:44 AM
I don’t have a problem with what Torts did, before Prospal got mad the top line was getting stale and wasn’t scoring. Prospal was getting less ice time mainly because of Hlavac and Ouellet not hussling. Richards had a few multi point games up with the top line and we’ve won like 7 of the last 10 games. If Torts wouldn’t have ticked off Prospal he may never have scored the winner in Nashville, or against Montreal. I would say Torts was losing the players if Prospal just gave up, but if ticking off players makes them score goals I’m all for it. Torts is taking a page out of Herb Brooks’ book.
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 02/13 at 05:17 PM
I agree about trading Boyle and Richards. Between them we should be able to get something that will help the team. I would also throw Holmer in there, as he is only a back up goalie. Ramo is a minor leaguer at this point, with potential. As Darrel Royal once said, “Potential is a nice way of saying the he ain’t done nothin yet.”
Why not get Captain Dave for a coach. He taught them how to win, and they all have respect for him. Besides, with what he did for his career, he is as an astute student of the game as there is anywhere.
Posted by Matt, tampa on 02/13 at 01:55 PM
Trade Boyle and Richards and use that money on a goalie, Prospal, Gratton, McDonald and some good core players. With the money the Bolts should save by trading those 2, they could re-shape this team in ONE off-season. If they swing and miss at the play-offs with out trading one or two of the unrestricted FA, this team will be worse next season. And can we start the FIRE TORTS threads again, he’s so done in that locker room. Feaster can spin this however he want but its obvious Torts has lost the players!
Posted by S. Lewy, Tampa on 02/13 at 11:07 AM
Prospals anger and frustration are because he has scored 6 goals in 7 games with about 1/3 the playing time Richards has been getting. Prospal is a true set up guy and a very productive player --proven here by benching him for most of the last 4 games and he is still more productive than 90% of the team. Awesome performance by him with only 16 1/2 mins of playtime. Great job! Wake up Tampa Bay—this guy should be kept here!! He has the work ethic and production level this team needs more of!
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 02/13 at 10:59 AM
Mike, you are so right on about MacDonald. He keeps sticking his nose into every play. Actually, the play of the third and fourth line have been carrying the Bolts. They keep the puck in with their forechecking and soften them up by finishing their checks. That way, the MVP line can run their magic.
Let Richards sit in the corner counting his money.
Posted by matt, tampa on 02/13 at 10:19 AM
Richards might have been showcased....
http://www.nypost.com/php/pfriendly/print.php?url=http://www.nypost.com/seven/02132008/sports/devils/clock_tickin_on_devs_deal_97451.htm
Article say Devils are interested in Richards…
Posted by Katya, Hockey Bay USA on 02/13 at 10:15 AM
I am sure Prospal was talking about Torts since he was SO unhappy about being dropped off the top line.....oh boy!
Posted by Mike Moulton, Gainesville on 02/13 at 09:41 AM
I agree with Mike and everyone else about keeping Prospal on the line with Vinnie and Marty. Brad is a very good player and maybe the brass was just showcasing him so they could move him. He is not much help to the bolts given that huge salary. Give me two or three more Craig MacDonalds…
Posted by Anita, on 02/13 at 09:29 AM
I wouldn’t say Holmer gave the game away either. He knew he should have had that shot, but that’s going to happen sometimes. I could also argue that the guys in front of him shouldn’t have let that play happen in the first place. I thought he played really well on the road trip and I think the team in general plays better in front of him. Give the guy some credit. We wouldn’t have even gotten to the playoffs last year without him. I think Torts does a great job of stripping the goalies of their confidence. Just look at the last few years…
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 02/13 at 07:06 AM
Holmer’s goal in OT in Atlanta was totally unexcusable. You have to make those goals. I say that from the point of view of having played for over 20 years. The team played itseld all out, then a softie is not acceptable in any way shape or form. Roy was benched for taking a stupid penalty in the offensive zone and Holmer deserved to be benched for a no brainer goal.
Posted by Ken Carpenter, Orlando on 02/13 at 04:31 AM
Tortorella is the reason this team is in last place . . . If he’s still around next year, I won’t be renewing my season tickets!
Posted by Marshall Wilson, Tampa on 02/13 at 12:34 AM
Erik,
What is your take on Vinny Prospal’s interview after the game in which he said this was the greatest moment in hockey for him and that he hopes that his two goals “shove it up somebodies butt”. PK then asked him who is he referring to and Prospal said they should know who I am talking to. The first logical guess would be that he is referring to Torts. When he was saying this you could just tell he was seething with anger and looked like he wanted to say more but held back. I think you need to look further into this and what the source of this anger is. But if him being angry like that makes him play the way he has been playing recently then maybe he should just stay mad.........Thanks.
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 02/12 at 11:34 PM
After the fiasco in Atlanta, where Holmer gave the game away, it looked like a repeat to start the Montreal game. I have to say that it was worth traveling 10,000 miles to see them play the second and third periods (even if I’m still suffering from jet lag).
The intensity was good, particularly with the third and fourth line. The more minutes they play, the more rest that Vinny’s line gets.
It was particularly good to see that VinnyL/VinnyP/Marty were reunited. Why screw up a good line to make Richards look good?
Posted by matt, ODESSA on 02/12 at 11:31 PM
Wow, put Prospal back where he should have been the last few games and look at the results. Back with Vinny and Marty he showed Torts how stupid he was by separating them. I’m glad they won, but after hearing Prospal’s interview I think it’s pretty clear Torts is the one in the dog-house with the players. Not to mention i’m starting to think Prospal has more value to this team than Richards.( In terms of production vs salary)
Posted by Ruthe Robertson, St Petersburg on 02/12 at 10:54 PM
If this game doesn’t prove that the MVP line should stay together, nothing will. Prospal’s interview with Paul Kennedy after the game as the lst star said it all, and it just confirms what we as fans already knew, all is not well between the players and Torts! Bet Roy and Prospal would really like to say what they mean although Prospal did a pretty good job of explaining how he feels. Good for you Vaclav.
Posted by vince, tampa on 02/12 at 10:22 PM
Great third period,good win,smart plays by the whole team, ramo held them off,nice win,prospal is obviously proving torts wrong,interesting comments after the game...good win boys
Posted by Dronestate, Orlando on 02/12 at 06:03 PM
I don’t know if allowing one goal in regulation and a goal in overtime from a virtual two on one could really be considered a let down performance from Holmquist.
I say start Holmer.
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Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 02/15 at 04:18 AM
You might like the Herb Brooks style of coaching. For me, I much prefer the Scotty Bowman style. Scotty is only the best to ever have coached in the league. Better yet, he knew that 7-8 years was the maximum to stay with one team, then it was time to move on. The players get tired of any system that is there too long.
By the way, Bowman was a my way or the highway coach, but didn’t yell at his players in public, or belittle them to the press - a la Torts. Ask Captain Dave who helped him learn the game more, Bowman or Torts!!!