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Kuba's Experience A Benefit

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 13, 2008

SUNRISE - Lightning D Filip Kuba played in his 500th NHL game Saturday against the Panthers.

With that kind of experience, he's one of two Lightning blue-liners (along with Brad Lukowich) to whom Coach John Tortorella turns to serve as veteran examples for the young defensemen.

It's a role that seems to contrast with Kuba's low-key demeanor, but he realizes how important it is.

"As more experienced guys, we try to be an example," Kuba said. "We have young kids, but they're really smart and they're really good players."

Kuba was signed away from Minnesota as a free agent before the 2006-07 season, and he responded with a career-best 15 goals and 37 points last year. With Dan Boyle (wrist) and his 20-goal potential on the shelf for all but four games so far this year, the Lightning had hoped to get more than the three goals they've gotten from Kuba.

"I think he's gotten better. I thought he had, when we lost Boyle in November, I thought he had a 10-game span where he played at a level that I've been fighting with him since he's been here to get to," Tortorella said. "And I thought he got there. ... I've seen him get to that level, and he hasn't sustained it yet. And that's what drives me nuts with Kuba. I think he's a good player. I think he can be a lot better."

That up-and-down quality was on full display Saturday. A giveaway by Kuba in the first minute led to a Panthers goal, but he came back in the second period to twice break up potential scoring chances, once diving to thwart Florida's Richard Zednik mere inches in front of the Lightning net.

Which was a demonstration, also, of another benefit of 500 games of experience: the ability to put mistakes behind him and make up for it.

"Just to be in this league is hard," Kuba said. "It's all I dreamed about when I was growing up. So, reaching 500 games is great."

JERSEY AUCTION: The sweaters worn during games this weekend by team captains around the league will be autographed and auctioned on NHLPA.com and NHL.com as part of the league's Hockey Fights Cancer initiative. Because Tampa Bay captain Tim Taylor is out, the jersey worn Saturday against the Panthers by alternate captain Vinny Lecavalier will be auctioned.

The auction begins Thursday at 6 p.m. and ends Jan. 31 at 9 p.m.

NUTS AND BOLTS: Tampa Bay improved to 5-17-2 when an opponent scores first. Florida's Olli Jokinen made it 1-0 only 38 seconds into it with his 21st goal. ... Lightning RW Jason Ward played in his 300th NHL game. ... Tampa Bay RW Jan Hlavac reached 400 career games Thursday against the Penguins. ... Tampa Bay is 10-9-1 against Southeast Division opponents, including 3-2-0 against the Panthers. ... Lightning G Johan Holmqvist earned his first victory since Dec. 6, a span of 17 games. ... Lecavalier was held without a point for the second game in a row, only the second time this season he went scoreless in consecutive games. ... Lightning C Andreas Karlsson was a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game. ... Holmqvist started for only the third time since Karri Ramo was recalled Dec. 20.

Carter Gaddis

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