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Wanvig Up To Boost Offense

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 6, 2008

OTTAWA - The search for some balanced scoring feels like it's been an expedition being led by Thelma and Louise instead of Lewis and Clark.

On Saturday, that search led to Norfolk, where the Lightning plucked RW Kyle Wanvig from the team's top minor-league affiliate. He was leading the Admirals with 13 goals and 36 points in 33 games.

After playing in Norfolk's shootout loss to Bridgeport on Friday, Wanvig packed his bags and joined the Lightning for Saturday's game against the Senators in time for the morning skate. He was immediately put onto the second line where he played alongside Brad Richards and Jan Hlavac.

"They told me in the morning that I was going to be playing on that line," said Wanvig, who played 17:38 with a shot on goal and four hits in his season debut. "There was a good flow going on and I think we were able to create some chances. It would have been nice to finish on one of those, but when you play with a guy the caliber of Brad Richards, you are going to be able to have opportunities to create."

Wanvig had a four-game call-up last season after he was acquired from the Atlanta Thrashers and failed to register a point. In 68 career games with Minnesota and Tampa Bay, he has five goals and 14 points. Judging from his play Saturday, he'll likely get the chance on the second line for Tuesday's game at New York against the Rangers.

"He played pretty good," Lightning coach John Tortorella said. "He got a little crazy with the puck in the third period as far as not going straight ahead, but he played pretty good."

NOT A PLUS: Richards has been fielding questions of late in regards to his abysmal plus/minus rating of minus-24, which ranks last in the league, six lower than teammates D Brad Lukowich and LW Mathieu Darche entering play on Saturday.

The number is indicative of the lack of production Richards' line at even strength as only 12 of his 34 points have come at even strength.

"I'm not happy about it and I'm not proud of it," said Richards, who was even against the Senators. "There has been times here lately that I haven't been on my game and it reflects it but sometimes things happen and you can't control it. Five-on-five, I have to be better, I have to score more, create more and that's going to help all that. If you are just getting scored against and not scoring that's going to build up."

NOT A CHANCE: For the first time this season, the Lightning did not have a power play after Ottawa was not called for one penalty; Tampa Bay was whistled for two.

"In between the second and third periods I let the referees know that we hadn't had a power play yet and they told me Ottawa hadn't taken any penalties yet," center Vinny Lecavalier said. "I don't think I've been in a game in a long time in which we haven't an opportunity, but that's they way they called it."

NUTS AND BOLTS: Tampa Bay has scored three goals in three consecutive games. ... Richards played in his 531st career game, moving into second place on the franchise's all-times list.

Erik Erlendsson

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