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Kolzig Receives Tribute

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 11, 2008

WASHINGTON - Tampa Bay G Olie Kolzig mixed up his routine on days in which he plays by not only taking the ice but also speaking to the media following the team's morning skate in order to accommodate the number of Washington media members requesting to speak to him in his return to Verizon Center.

"This is obviously a different situation and I was trying to prepare myself for it coming off the ice early," Kolzig said.

The Capitals played a video tribute on the scoreboard for Kolzig during the first timeout of the opening period while the crowd chanted "Olie, Olie, Olie" before the opening faceoff. During his time with Washington, Kolzig appeared in 711 games with the Capitals, which according to Elias Sports Bureau is the fourth most played by a goaltender for one franchise. He trails only Martin Brodeur (978 games with New Jersey), Tony Esposito (873 with Chicago) and Terry Sawchuk (734 during three stints with Detroit).

HOMECOMING II: D Steven Eminger finished off his quick reunion tour in his two-game showing with the Lightning, facing Philadelphia on Saturday a day after being traded and returning to Washington on Monday to face the team he spent five years with before being dealt to Philly during the summer.

"We played a preseason game in Washington, so I was more nervous for that first game than this one," Eminger said.

After playing 14 minutes in his Lightning debut on Saturday, Eminger worked with the top power-play unit during the morning skate, a move Coach Barry Melrose said was done to utilize Eminger's right-handed shot.

OUT OF ACTION: LW Ryan Malone was injured during the first period of Monday's game and did not return to the ice. The team is classifying Malone's injury as "lower body" but did not divulge the nature of what the injury is or how long he'll be out.

Malone took only three shifts in the first period and had 2:26 of ice time before leaving the ice. He will be re-evaluated today in Sunrise, where the team is scheduled to practice before Wednesday's game against the Panthers.

AUCTION STILL GOING: The "Saw V" mask worn by Kolzig is still taking bids up until 11:30 tonight. The current bid is more than $3,600 with all proceeds benefitting Athletes for Autism. Bid can be made online at www.collectsaw.com.

The "Saw" mask worn by G Mike Smith recently sold for $4,300 with the proceeds going to The Lightning Foundation.

NUTS AND BOLTS: RW Marty St. Louis played in his 553rd career game in a Lightning uniform, passing C Brad Richards for second most in franchise history. ... RW Radim Vrbata, who missed five games with a groin injury before returning to the ice on Thursday, has been taking shifts on the top power-play unit.

Erik Erlendsson

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