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Lundqvist Turns Away Lightning

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By CARTER GADDIS, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 22, 2007

TAMPA - Anyone who watched the goalies square off in the New York Rangers' 2-1 victory against the Lightning on Wednesday at the St. Pete Times Forum could not help but come away with the feeling that the Swedish national team has plenty of options in net.

Of course, there is a reason Henrik Lundqvist won an Olympic gold medal with the Swedes in 2006. He demonstrated his gold-medal form in front of a season-high crowd of 20,110 fans with 32 saves, falling 16.7 seconds short of matching Columbus' Pascal Leclaire for the NHL lead in shutouts with what would have been his fifth.

As good as Lundqvist was, fellow Swede Johan Holmqvist was nearly as effective for the Lightning. He saved 27 of 29 shots he faced, but fell to 10-1-0 when allowing two or fewer goals this season.

And as good as Lundqvist was, it took a bit of luck in the closing minutes to hold off a desperate comeback attempt by Tampa Bay.

Even as Holmqvist vacated his net with time winding down, Lundqvist's shutout seemed safe enough. But a shot by Lightning defenseman Filip Kuba from the blue line bounced off Ryan Craig and Michel Ouellet and under Lundqvist's catcher to provide Tampa Bay's only score.

Other than costing Lundqvist that coveted shutout, the goal itself was harmless enough. Especially considering what might have been if the replay officials in Toronto had seen things differently only moments before.

The Lightning seemed to have scored their first goal at the 3:28 mark, when Vinny Prospal walked the puck into the slot and let fly a wrist shot that appeared to bounce off Ouellet's skate and trickle through the legs of Brendan Shanahan, who stood slightly to Lundqvist's left.

As Shanahan and Ouellet collided and Lundqvist lunged for the puck, it began a slow slide across the goal line. At the last possible instant, Shanahan swiped at the puck with his right glove.

The apparent goal was immediately waved off. Replays seemed to show the puck nearly crossed the line, but it was unclear whether it was entirely across, as required.

There also was a question about whether Shanahan should have been penalized for playing the puck with his glove while it was in the crease. Rule 67.4 in the NHL rule book stipulates that a penalty shot should be awarded if anyone but the goalie "falls on the puck, holds the puck or gathers the puck into his body or hands from the ice in the goal crease area."

Even though Shanahan's penalty would have been obvious to the replay officials in Toronto, replay officials are not empowered to call penalties. And because the video evidence was inconclusive, the call stood.

"It would've been nice to get that one there," said Lightning right wing Marty St. Louis, "with some time to maybe get another one."

The Rangers handed Tampa Bay its second loss at home in regulation, the first since Atlanta overcame a three-goal deficit to win 6-4 on Nov. 3. The Lightning are 8-2-1 at home.

Tampa Bay's Vinny Lecavalier, who came in with an eight-game multi-point streak, was held off the score sheet for the first time since Nov. 1 at the Islanders. St. Louis also had an eight-game point streak snapped.

The Rangers' defensive effort wasn't all about Lundqvist; New York also blocked 17 shots, four by defenseman Daniel Girardi.

"Everyone talks about their free agents and their offense," said Lightning defenseman Shane O'Brien, "But they're a good, solid defensive team, probably the best we've seen, and they've got a great goalie."

Reporter Carter Gaddis can be reached at (813) 259-8291 or igaddis@tampatrib.com.

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