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Craig Injured Again, Will Have MRI Today

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 25, 2007

TAMPA Lightning C Ryan Craig's bad luck with injuries continued Saturday when he hurt his left knee in the first period against New Jersey.

Craig, who has been limited this season to seven games because of a herniated disc in his back, will undergo an MRI today at University Community Hospital after playing only three minutes of the loss to the Devils.

It's the same knee that cost him two games last season, when he suffered a sprain in April. Earlier last season, he lost eight games because of a right knee injury.

The herniated disc, which he suffered during the preseason in September, kept him out of the lineup until Nov. 10. He scored a goal in his first game back and had an assist in Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

The Lightning also were dealing Saturday with the absence of D Filip Kuba, who was scratched because of an abdominal injury. His replacement, D Dan Jancevski, played two shifts for 1:50.

Afterward, recently recalled Jancevski was returned to AHL affiliate Norfolk.

No players were recalled from Norfolk after Saturday's game, although F Craig MacDonald, who played 14 games before being sent to the Admirals early this month, could be an option.

Otherwise, the Lightning could choose to stick with 20 available skaters for their back-to-back games at Chicago and Detroit on Wednesday and Thursday.

END OF THE ROAD: Orlando's Steve Williamson watched his 30th game in 30 nights Saturday at the St. Pete Times Forum, fittingly finishing his month-long hockey adventure watching his favorite team play at home.

"In a lot of ways, I'm glad it's over, because I can get back to doing other things I enjoy," Williamson said. "But in some ways, I'm going to miss it because it's been a lot of fun."

Williamson, 49, spent a little less than $8,000 to see a game in every NHL arena over the past four-plus weeks. His journey is chronicled at the Web site, 30gamesin30nights.com.

NUTS AND BOLTS: Tampa Bay D Doug Janik played in his 100th career NHL game. … Lightning C Vinny Lecavalier ended the game one short of a couple of milestones. His 16th goal of the season was the 249th of his career, and his 22nd assist of the season was No..299 for his career. He's the franchise leader in goals and is second all-time to Brad Richards in assists. … Lightning D Shane O'Brien played a career-high 28:20, including 10:51 in the first period. … New Jersey was held to one shot in the third period, the sixth time in team history the Lightning have held an opponent to one shot in a period. The team has held an opponent to no shots in a period twice, most recently against Detroit in the first on Dec. 2, 2000.

Carter Gaddis

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