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Bolts Notebook: Tortorella Says No Goal Was Correct Call

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 28, 2007

TAMPA There was some confusion as to why C Vinny Lecavalier's goal at 17:04 of the third period was disallowed, but not to Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella.

The goal that would have put the Lightning ahead 4-3 with 2:56 remaining was immediately waved off by Saturday's officials.

The reason: RW Marty St. Louis had interfered with Buffalo G Ryan Miller.

St. Louis veered in front of Miller, went into the crease and bumped Miller, but St. Louis believed he was out before Lecavalier took the shot, which would have been within the rules.

"They said that I bumped the goalie but, you know, if it's interference, I think it should be a penalty or a goal," St. Louis said. "It was neither, so I don't know. I guess it wasn't that bad of interference. I mean, I know I touched him a bit, but it was way before the shot. I was by him by the time [Lecavalier] shot.

"I didn't get a good look at the replay, to really make a good assessment. But, I mean, I think it's got to be either a goal or a penalty, and it was neither."
Tortorella saw what the officials saw, agreed with the decision and felt fortunate the Lightning weren't called for the penalty, which would have given the Sabres a power play.

"It should be disallowed," Tortorella said. "There's no question it should be disallowed. The goalie was not able to do his job with Marty [St. Louis] being there. It was the right call.

"[The interference penalty] is discretion by the ref. That's all I wanted. I didn't want us to get the penalty, but the goal shouldn't be allowed."

HOT, HOT, HOT: Already off to the best start of his career, C Vinny Prospal opened the scoring at 3:25 of the second period, giving him nine games in nine games.
His eight goals in eight games going into Saturday ranked him third in the league behind Los Angeles' Mike Cammalleri (10 goals in 11 games) and Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg (nine goals in 11 games).

NUTS AND BOLTS: Going into Saturday's game, Lecavalier, St. Louis and C Brad Richards ranked in the top 10 in the league in average ice time. Richards was leading the league with 24:21 minutes per game, St. Louis was third in 23:30 and Lecavalier was ninth with 22:01. …The Lightning's top line of Lecavalier, St. Louis and Prospal has accounted for 16 goals and 34 points. … Richards' assist on Lecavalier's 5-on-3 goal in the third period extended his points streak to six games. … Former tennis player and avid Sabres fan Monica Seles was in attendance. … The Buffalo News reported that former Lightning D Nolan Pratt worked out with the Sabres on Friday as "part of a tryout to prove his fitness" and could sign with Buffalo soon if all goes well.

Cristina Ledra

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