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Bolts Goalies Are Doing Their Part

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 23, 2008

TAMPA - As cell phones across the NHL no doubt continue to ring in all sorts of unusual tones as general managers call each other with trade proposals and media members ask about rumors, things hit a relative calm Friday.

But with tonight's game against Boston the last for Tampa Bay before Tuesday's 3 p.m. deadline, trade talk involving the Lightning should pick up considerably after the final buzzer.

Speculation continues to swirl around the contract talks with defenseman Dan Boyle and whether the team is shopping center Brad Richards, possibly to receive a goaltender in return.

Yet, the Lightning's current goaltending situation has settled down in the past six weeks. While Tampa Bay is all but out of the playoff picture, trailing Southeast Division leader Carolina by 10 points with 21 games left, neither Johan Holmqvist nor rookie Karri Ramo can be blamed for the Lightning's recent fall off the playoff map.

In the past two games, Tampa Bay gained one of a possible four points despite the goaltenders combining to stop 69 of 74 shots. Holmqvist deserved a much better fate than Wednesday's overtime loss in Buffalo, in which he made a season-high 42 saves, but he got little defensive help in front of him, especially late in the game as Tampa Bay blew a two-goal lead.

Thursday on Long Island, Ramo was solid in stopping 27 of 28 shots, the game's only goal coming when Miroslav Satan was allowed to skate unchecked to the top of the slot for a wrist shot.

Since Jan. 8, when Tampa Bay snapped a seven-game winless streak with a victory in New York against the Rangers, Holmqvist and Ramo have combined for a 10-6-2 record with a 2.57 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage in their 18 starts, not including a relief appearance by Ramo on Jan. 24 against Ottawa.

While not posting Vezina Trophy-caliber numbers, the duo has done its part to stabilize what had been a shaky situation and quiet criticism.

"It's been tough for them, and it's not been fun with the criticism and the finger-pointing that has gone on, but you have to give them credit for fighting through it," goaltender coach Jeff Reese said.

Adjustments by the coaching staff to the neutral-zone defense has cut down on the number of opponents' prime scoring chances, but the improved play of the goaltenders has gone relatively unnoticed.

"These guys are two terrific individuals, both of them work hard, and it's nice to see good things happen to them," Reese said. "The way things have been, even when they are going well, they still seem to get you-know-what on."

It creates an interesting quandary leading up to the trade deadline, with General Manager Jay Feaster believed to be looking for a goaltender for next season. While Ramo, 21, will almost certainly be competing for the No. 1 job in training camp, his competition remains unknown.

With his recent play, Holmqvist might have created a market for himself, either in a trade or as a free agent this summer. Or, he might have earned a chance to return to the Lightning as the lead goalie in a tandem.

Either way, Tampa Bay's tandem system has worked out better in the past six weeks than in the past two years.

"They have been a lot better; we can't point our fingers at the goalies, that's for sure," Boyle said. "I think everybody has to look in the mirror, because this is definitely not the time to point fingers, as those guys have turned it around and played really well."

LUKOWICH SURGERY: Lightning D Brad Lukowich underwent successful sports hernia surgery in Germany on Friday. He is expected to return to Tampa on Sunday and will be out three to four weeks.

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7835 or eerlendsson@tampatrib.com.

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