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Bolts Trying To Brush Off Loss

The Associated Press

Lightning goalie Mike Smith argues with officials after they ruled he threw his stick on a shootout shot.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 20, 2008

ATLANTA - Some prankster pulled a fast one on Mike Smith during practice Friday, using black hockey tape to wrap the goaltender's blocker glove around one of his sticks.

Turns out, Smith pulled the prank on himself, trying to make light of Thursday night's controversial ruling that he threw his stick while making a save on Milan Hejduk's shootout attempt. After a lengthy discussion, the on-ice officials awarded a goal to Hejduk, which proved to be the difference in another Lightning loss.

"It really is quite humorous," Smith said. "It was the wrong call, so it's pretty funny that they saw it that way. I just don't understand how the referee in the right corner facing the play, he's right there, nobody has a better angle than him. So how does that guy go home at night and think he made the right call?"

But NHL Director of Officiating Stephen Walkom said the officiating crew of referees Tim Peel and Brian Pochmara along with linesmen David Brisebois and Dan Schachte did make the right decision in ruling that Smith threw his stick.

"I believe it was the right call," Walkom said. "I talked to the guys, and I support the decision they made. They made a judgment call that they believe the stick was released, and it's an automatic call to allow the goal. It's a tough call to make, but I support the call. It wasn't something they guessed at or pulled out of thin air."

Lightning general manager Brian Lawton said he has spoken with league officials on the matter, but he didn't reveal specifics of what was discussed, although he seemed satisfied with the explanation given to him.

"There's really nothing more that can be done at this stage," Lawton said. "You make note of it, and I think they know they owe us one and you move forward. People make mistakes and we understand that, we've acknowledged it and we're not complaining or looking for excuses or anything like that."

Tampa Bay interim coach Rick Tocchet said he hopes that somewhere down the road somebody from the officiating crew from Thursday's game comes to him to discuss the situation since he wasn't given a clear explanation when the call was made or even who made the determination during the game.

"There had to be somebody that went in the pile and said 'Hey listen, I think he threw his stick' and then they talk," Tocchet said. "I just wanted to know who stepped up to the plate and what they saw. That's the only thing I had a tough time with."

Smith didn't have much of a tough time moving past the situation during practice. In addition to the practical joke he pulled on himself, during a practice mini-game when Smith stopped a shootout goal he then threw his stick off to the side, giving his teammates a good laugh.

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

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