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Bolts Finding Positives In Shootout Loss To Devils

The Associated Press

The Devils' Jamie Langenbrunner scores in a shootout against Lightning goaltender Mike Smith Wednesday.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 6, 2008

NEWARK, N.J. - Character losses are difficult to assess. After all, a loss is a loss. In that context, the fact Tampa Bay fell 4-3 in a shootout to New Jersey on Wednesday night is not an acceptable result, particularly after scoring the first goal of the game and then the first goal in the shootout.

But it was the Lightning's last two goals in regulation in which the team can find positives. Jussi Jokinen scored his second goal of the game with 9:08 left in the third, and Marty St. Louis notched his first goal in nearly a month with 3:20 left to help the Lightning twice rally from a goal down.

Both goals came on the power play, by a unit that entered the game ranked 29th overall. Positive aspects of a dissatisfying end result.

"We had a golden opportunity to get two points out of this, and we didn't get it," Lightning coach Barry Melrose said. "And this game wasn't played as well as previous games, but we got a point and you never want to look a gift horse in the mouth, so we got a point coming from behind against a team that stresses defense. And the power play scored a couple of late goals, so that's positive to see."

Six of Tampa Bay's 11 games this season have been decided in overtime or a shootout. Nine have been decided by one goal.

"I think that's a good sign that we are in those one-goal games," Jokinen said. "But we need to win more of them. Those extra points from overtime or shootouts can make a big difference if you make the playoffs or not."

The Lightning (4-3-4) trailed 2-1 going into the third, but Jokinen's second goal of the game, and fourth of the season, came on a one-timer from the right circle on a cross-ice pass from Andrej Meszaros to tie the game at 2. Jay Pandolfo, however, regained the lead for New Jersey after a turnover in the Lightning zone. Patrik Elias put a shot on net that Mike Smith stopped, but as he appeared to flop on the rebound and cover the puck, John Madden poked it free to Pandolfo, who hit the open net with 4:50 left.

St. Louis, who hadn't scored since the season opener Oct. 4, chipped in a rebound to tie the game.

After Vinny Lecavalier put the Lightning ahead in the shootout, Jokinen made a nice move on Kevin Weekes to get the New Jersey goaltender down, but Weekes kicked out his left leg for the save. Elias and Jamie Langenbrunner each converted their chances to give the Devils the extra point.

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

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