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Lecavalier, St. Louis Help Bolts Stop Skid

The Associated Press

Montreal Canadiens' Alex Tanguay (13) knocks down Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Paul Ranger during third period.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 12, 2008

MONTREAL - Once Tampa Bay's 12-hour delayed charter flight from Buffalo, N.Y., landed in Montreal late Thursday morning, interim head coach Rick Tocchet turned to associate coach Mike Sullivan and said he felt the team was being tested.

It helps to have a pair of A-plus pupils to help set the curve.

All-Stars Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis provided all the scoring in a 3-1 victory against Montreal, helping the Lightning snap a nine-game winless streak that stretched back to before Thanksgiving.

St. Louis registered the 27th multigoal game of his career, but his first since Dec. 13, 2007. His second goal was Tampa Bay's first short-handed goal of the season and the 26th of St. Louis' career. Lecavalier added his 12th goal of the season and had an assist in Tampa Bay's first victory since Nov. 21.

"Marty was a warrior tonight, Vinny was playing as hard as he could," Tocchet said. "But the most proud I am of those two guys is after losses and the way things have been going, the next day in practice these two guys are still the hardest-working guys."

St. Louis answered a Montreal power-play goal by firing a slap shot through Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak at 10:49 of the first with Lecavalier pouncing on a rebound in the crease 74 seconds later to give Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead. St. Louis then collected a loose puck at center ice for a breakaway while killing off a penalty at 8:31 of the second to notch the Lightning's first short-handed goal since Feb. 23.

"We've played some good hockey lately and haven't been rewarded, it's nice to get rewarded," St. Louis said. "I don't even remember the last time I scored two goals. I'm playing with a lot of confidence right now and I'm trying to spread it around and bring this team in the right direction."

Goaltender Olie Kolzig made it stand up, stopping 31 shots - including 24 in the final two periods - for his first victory since Oct. 30.

"We've played some good games here lately, I know it doesn't show on paper, but we have, we're just not getting the wins," Lecavalier said. "But we'll try to take this one and carry it on into the next game."

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835.

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