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Lightning Warm Up With Pregame Jousts

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON

eerlendsson@tampatrib.com

Published: January 15, 2009

Updated: 01/15/2009 06:00 am

TAMPA - The open areas outside the Lightning locker room often come alive just before game time with the sounds of soccer balls bouncing off heads, feet, walls and possibly a bystander or two.

About an hour before teams suit up for their on-ice warm-ups, some players warm up in a different way, playing impromptu games with a soccer ball. Some teams play a game of survivor, gathering in a circle and trying to keep the ball in the air. The player who lets it hit the ground is bumped from the game until the next round.

Lightning players also play a game that is one part tennis, one part volleyball, with players on opposite sides of a court bouncing the ball back and forth with any body part except their hands.

"It's actually pretty good for warm-up because you are jumping around, running around and getting the heart rate up," center Steven Stamkos said. "The game itself, there is an element of flexibility involved there, and you are kind of stretching your muscles out at the same time. And I think it's just a good way to get a good sweat on out there before warm-ups and gets the adrenaline going."

While the pre-warm-up warm-up offers a chance to loosen muscles, it also offers the opportunity to compete. The competitiveness can get intense, particularly when friendly wagers, generally $5 per game, are involved.

"There is a competitive nature out there, sometimes too competitive," said goaltender Mike Smith, who has played some form of soccer to loosen up before a game since he turned pro. "Speaking for myself, I know I'm pretty competitive - too competitive sometimes in things that don't matter - but it's more to just get loose and have some fun, but sometimes it does get overheated."

Tampa Bay interim coach Rick Tocchet likes the idea of players getting together before a game, instead of hanging out at their locker stalls.

"It's a camaraderie thing, you know. It's a warm-up, but guys enjoy it and it gives them a chance to get together," he said. "Plus it gets them off those stupid iPods, where everybody just goes to their little corner. I can't stand that."

But it is not always fun and games, as the friendly battles can lead to issues that affect the team on the ice.

Earlier this season, Smith wound up with a cut above his eye after a collision during warm-ups before a game in Boston. In late December, Toronto forward Matt Stajan missed a week with blurred vision after getting struck in the eye during one of the team's soccer games. And in October 2007, former Carolina forward Erik Cole broke his foot while warming up with Hurricanes teammates.

"There are always risks in whatever you do," center Jussi Jokinen said. "Whenever you are playing with a soccer ball, there are those little risks like your ankles and stuff, but if you stop and think about it, you can get hurt anywhere."

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

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