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Tocchet Leading His Team His Way

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

eerlendsson@tampatrib.com

Published: November 21, 2008

TAMPA - In his short time behind the bench, interim Lightning coach Rick Tocchet has delivered his message loud and clear - he's in charge and things are going to be done his way.

That's not a surprise to Phoenix coach and all-time scoring leader Wayne Gretzky, who hired Tocchet as an assistant following the lockout.

"He's definitely an intense guy," Gretzky told Sporting News Today this week. "Rick is very intense and he's a no-nonsense guy. If you play hard, you're going to play. If you don't play hard, you're not going to get on the ice. That's pretty cut and dry with Rick Tocchet."

Tocchet, who will have ample opportunity to have the interim tag removed from his title this season, played the game at an intense level for 18 seasons with six teams. Never the most gifted or most talented, Tocchet used that intensity level as the fuel to becoming one of three players - Gary Roberts and Pat Verbeek are the others - in NHL history to score at least 400 goals and pile up more than 2,500 penalty minutes.

He wants to make sure that the way he played is the way his team plays, and it starts with putting in the work in practice.

"We have some guys who are not used to the hard pace that I want," Tocchet said. "It's not long, 45-50 minutes. It might be a half-hour some days, but if you are going to play on this team you better be ready."

Judging from the way the team has responded on the ice - although not necessarily in results - the message has been received inside the locker room. Players are taking the 30- to 40-second shifts during the games Tocchet demands - "The days of the minute shifts are over here," he said - and the practices are of the up-tempo style that Tocchet desires.

"The energy level is there," captain Vinny Lecavalier said. "The practices are shorter but a lot more intense. Guys understand the drills and go 100 percent on the ice and it shows in the game. We've tied two games and lost in the shootout, but I think we are looking a lot better and doing a lot of good things out there."

That's exactly the thumbprint Tocchet wants to instill on the team.

"I want this team to play fast, I want this team to play with confidence and I want us to play a swarming style," Tocchet said.

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

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