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Artyukhin Suspended 2 Games

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 20, 2009

TAMPA - The league office determined that Lightning forward Evgeny Artyukhin acted recklessly in a knee-on-knee hit with Florida's Ville Peltonen on Saturday.

For his actions, Artyukhin received a two-game suspension and missed Monday's game and will sit out Wednesday against Buffalo, a penalty that will cost him $10,215.06 in pay. He is eligible to return Jan. 27 against Montreal.

Artyukhin spoke with the league Sunday about the play.

"We had a line change and I was just trying to get out of the way," Artyukhin said. "I apologized to them. I didn't do that on purpose. I play physical, but I don't go out there looking to hurt anybody."

Though Florida coach Pete DeBoer called the hit dirty after Saturday's game, Lightning coach Rick Tocchet didn't agree with the league's assessment.

"They have to go through their thing but you don't have to agree with it," he said. "I just hope he doesn't get branded by the officials. I hope he doesn't get tagged. He has to play aggressive to be in this league."

Peltonen, meanwhile, had an MRI on his knee Monday that revealed no structural damage, only a deep bruise, and he could return after the All-Star break, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

REUNION ARENA: While the return of C Brad Richards stole the headlines for Monday's game, there were plenty of other reunions taking place.

Dallas' roster features another member of the 2004 Stanley Cup team with D Darryl Sydor, along with D Doug Janik and D Andrew Hutchinson, who was traded to Dallas in November.

Monday also marked the first time G Mike Smith faced his old team, as well as C Jeff Halpern and LW Jussi Jokinen, who were each part of the deal that sent Richards to the Stars last year.

In regards to the deal at the trade deadline last season, Halpern said he still believes the Lightning received more than fair value for Richards, especially with Smith.

"When the trade was made last season I felt Mike would be a top-five goaltender in this league, but I honestly think he's the best goaltender in the league right now," Halpern said. "He is going to win a Stanley Cup one day. ... I just hope I'm around to be a part of that."

MURPHY'S LAW: With D Matt Smaby out with a recurring lower body injury and Tampa Bay facing the prospect of having to dress five healthy defensemen for Monday's game, which included converted forward David Koci, the Lightning claimed D Cory Murphy off re-entry waivers from Florida.

Murphy, 30, has missed a majority of the season with a shoulder injury, but he didn't fit into Florida's plans this season and had been placed on waivers twice, including coming out of training camp. A former MVP of the Finnish Elite League, Murphy jumped right into the lineup.

Because Tampa Bay claimed Murphy off re-entry waivers, the team is on the hook for a little less than half of his remaining $875,000 salary. He is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

GOLDEN BOY: The Bolts brought G Dustin Tokarski, who backstopped Canada to a gold medal at the World Junior Championships earlier in the month, to town Monday to meet club officials and show off his gold medal.

Tokarski, a fifth-round pick in 2008, also led Spokane of the Western Hockey League to a Memorial Cup title last season and has developed the reputation as a big-game goalie.

"I just think when the ultimate prize is on the line, I just take it upon myself to want to win bad and to be the guy to make a difference," he said.

NUTS AND BOLTS: D Marek Malik (ankle) missed his second consecutive game. Malik has been walking around with a protective boot stemming from an injury Thursday against Philadelphia. ... C Vinny Lecavalier has scored at least 20 goals for nine consecutive seasons. ... Murphy became the 40th different player to appear in a game this season for Tampa Bay. ... Lecavalier's short-handed goal was the 13th of his career, one behind Rob Zamuner for second place on the franchise list.

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