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Ranger, Meszaros To Have Surgery

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 20, 2009

TAMPA - The Lightning's defensive core took a double dose of bad news Thursday when the team announced that Paul Ranger and Andrej Meszaros each will have season-ending shoulder surgery on March 3.

Both players will have the procedure performed in Birmingham, Ala., by orthopedist James Andrews to repair torn labrums in their left shoulder. They will need about six months to recover.

Ranger had the same procedure on his right shoulder last season.

"I knew this was coming, it's been bothering me for a little while, so I knew it was going to have to get done at some point," Ranger said. "To me, it's tough to have to get this done and not be out there playing."

Meszaros' injury occurred on Feb. 4 in Pittsburgh, when he was hit along the boards by Penguins C Evgeni Malkin. Meszaros, who had appeared in 298 consecutive games before the injury, said he wasn't injured on the initial hit but said his shoulder popped out of joint when he fell to the ice. The training staff popped the shoulder back into place, and Meszaros said he felt better right away, but when he couldn't lift his arm the next day, he knew something was wrong.

"To go from never having an injury to now having surgery, it's frustrating," Meszaros said. "But I really want to get it done as soon as possible so I can be ready for next season."

The shoulder surgeries mark four times in the past two seasons the Lightning have had a player undergo major surgery. In addition to Ranger's procedure on his right shoulder last year, captain Vinny Lecavalier had shoulder surgery performed by Andrews after a hit from Washington's Matt Cooke.

DAD KNOWS BEST: The team took 18 additional passengers to Carolina for tonight's game as part of a four-day itinerary for players and staff to spend time with their father/mentor.

In addition to taking in Thursday's game from a suite and traveling to Raleigh for tonight's game, where they will enjoy a pregame meal with the team, the group will also be on hand for Sunday's game against Boston. The team paid the travel expenses for those who flew in from out of town.

"It's a nice gesture by ownership to do something like this," interim coach Rick Tocchet said. "It's good to see the fathers and everybody with the guys, there's always that connection, and I'm a big believer in that."

The players who brought fathers include: Vinny Lecavalier (Yvon), Marty St. Louis (Normand), Ryan Craig (Dale), Adam Hall (Patrick), Jeff Halpern (Melvin), Ryan Malone (Greg), Mike McKenna (Terry), Cory Murphy (Harold), Matt Pettinger (Richard), Gary Roberts (Herbert) and Matt Smaby (Nils). Steve Downie brought his uncle, Rick MacNeill.

Among staff members: assistant trainer Mike Poirier (Robert), video coach Nigel Kirwan (Novelle), assistant equipment manager Rob Kennedy (Robert Tracey), strength coach Chuck Lobe (Larry), administrative assistant Liz Sylvia (John) and team services director Ryan Belec (Paul).

NUTS AND BOLTS: LW Roberts was scratched Thursday, but Tocchet said the veteran forward will return to the lineup tonight. ... LW Malone became the third player to score 20 or more goals this season. Malone reached the 20-goal mark for the fourth time in five NHL seasons. He has scored in three of the past four games, including two multi-goal games. ... D Marek Malik (ankle) skated Thursday morning but missed his second consecutive game.

Erik Erlendsson

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