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Fans Vote Lecavalier To Start At Forward For East All-Stars

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 9, 2008

NEW YORK - Even if it appears that the play of C Vinny Lecavalier has gone largely unnoticed in some NHL circles this season, the fans are paying attention.

Lecavalier, who received 224,661 votes in an online-only voting process, was named a starter for the Eastern Conference for the All-Star Game in Atlanta on Jan. 27. He finished second in overall votes for a forward behind Sidney Crosby and just ahead of Daniel Alfredsson. The three forwards will line up for the opening faceoff of the game.

"I'm really excited," Lecavalier said. "To be voted, it's a great honor. I want to thank the fans that voted. To be voted, it's a lot of fun. It's a great weekend, and I'm excited to go."

The All-Star Game will be the third for Lecavalier, who entered Tuesday leading the league in scoring, but his first as a starter. He is the fourth Lightning player to be voted into the starting lineup, joining Dino Ciccarelli (1997), Nikolai Khabibulin (2003) and Marty St. Louis (2004).

"I think it's great," Lightning coach John Tortorella said. "He's on a team that's struggling, and I think that's hurt him. I think he's the best player in the league ... and he deserves that. I'm really happy for Vinny, because he has been that good, and he has been for a long time."

The reserves for the Eastern Conference will be announced Friday.

STEP UP: As the Lightning have labored through a series of losing streaks this season, Tortorella said he is looking for better play out of some of the team's veteran players, especially on defense.

"With the youth on our blue line, our vets have to play better," he said. "They have to carry some of that load in handling situations. ... That's where we are at. We are a team that has struggled, and sometimes we shoot ourselves and put ourselves into bad spots because of our awareness and momentums in games. And that's where our veterans have to take over because we are so young back there."

MAGIC NUMBER: Both St. Louis and Tortorella celebrated a milestone Tuesday night involving the No. 500.

St. Louis appeared in his 500th game in a Lightning uniform, becoming the fourth player in team history to play in 500 games with the franchise, joining Lecavalier (672 games), C Brad Richards (533) and D Pavel Kubina (531).

Tortorella, meanwhile, coached in his 500th career game to become the second American-born head coach to be behind the bench for 500 or more games. Legendary coach Herb Brooks coached the most games by a U.S.-born coach with 506.

NUTS AND BOLTS: LW Nick Tarnasky was a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game. ... The team held its annual rookie dinner Sunday night in New York. The ritual has the team's rookies pick up the bill for a dinner that often reaches beyond $10,000. ... RW Michel Ouellet, out with a separated shoulder since Dec. 13, could begin skating by the end of this week. ... LW Vinny Prospal increased his scoring streak to seven games. ... The Rangers were without RW Martin Straka (concussion) and super pest Sean Avery (wrist). ... D Doug Janik's first-period goal was his first since Feb. 1, 2007, a span of 57 games.

Erik Erlendsson

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