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Roberts Stands Up For Mates

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

eerlendsson@tampatrib.com

Published: February 22, 2009

TAMPA - LW Gary Roberts wasn't crazy about how Boston D Mark Stuart took runs at RW Mark Recchi and C Steven Stamkos. So after the defenseman took a run at Stamkos, Roberts had enough and took on the 24-year-old, who is nearly half Roberts' age.

"I thought it was time to stand up for my teammates and try to get a little bit of excitement in the building," Roberts said.

The fight was Roberts' first since Dec. 15, 2007, when he battled New York Islanders D Andy Sutton, according to the Web site hockeyfights.com. With Sunday's fight coming at the end of the first period, Roberts was able to go to the locker room to calm the adrenaline.

"I was able to get on the bike for about 10 minutes after the fight to get my heart rate under 200 beats per minute," Roberts said. "But I've felt pretty good. My legs have been good lately and I'm excited about the opportunity to play."

Roberts missed significant time from November until the beginning of February but has been getting upwards of 13 minutes of ice time in the eight games he has played since returning to action, registering a pair of goals and three points.

"Gary, he's going down swinging," Lightning interim coach Rick Tocchet said. "I don't know how many games he has left, but he plays like every game means something. It's not just another game for him. He truly believes that you play every game for something."

DOWN, BUT NOT OUT

Though RW Steve Downie was sent to the minors on Saturday, Tocchet said the pesky winger will be back soon.

"I love him as a player, he's a good little player," Tocchet said of the 5-11, 190-pound forward. "We'll get him down there and he'll get some more ice time."

Tocchet said the team also might get Downie working on a strengthening program similar to the one Stamkos has been on since the middle of January.

"I think he needs to get himself into better shape," Tocchet said. "I think he's been developing well, but he's got to get a little stronger, so we'll look to get him on the Steve Stamkos program."

IN THE FOREST

With Boston trailing by a goal in the final minute, the Bruins pulled G Manny Fernandez for an extra attacker. One of those was 6-foot-9 D Zdeno Chara, who planted himself in front of the Lightning crease hoping to create a screen in front of G Karri Ramo.

"I think he's got a few inches and a few pounds on me, and there's not too many guys who do," said 6-foot-5, 225-pound Lightning D Matt Smaby, who was on the ice in the final minute to protect the lead. "You try to catch him a little by surprise when he's standing up and down trying to watch the play. Other than that you can't move the guy. He's like a tree that's rooted into the ground right in front of the net."

HEWARD IMPROVING

D Jamie Heward, who has been sidelined with a concussion since Jan. 1, continues to show improvement in his return to health.

Heward was hoping to see a doctor to clear him to return to the ice this week, but he was told he will not travel with the team for the upcoming three-game swing through Western Canada.

Heward will now have to wait until at least next week to resume working out with the team.

NUTS AND BOLTS

D Lukas Krajicek missed his second consecutive game with a problem with his right hip that has bothered him the past few games. He is scheduled to undergo an MRI today. ... D Marek Malik returned after missing three games with an ankle injury. ... D David Koci picked up his first career NHL point with a secondary assist on Recchi's second-period goal. ... RW Adam Hall scored his first goal since Dec. 20. ... The announced crowd of 18,454 was the fourth-highest home attendance of the season.

Erik Erlendsson

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