TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Stamkos' 2 Goals Can't Elevate Bolts

The Associated Press

Atlanta Thrashers goalie Johan Hedberg has the net land on him during the second period.

ADVERTISEMENT

By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 22, 2009

TAMPA - Suddenly, Steven Stamkos is shining.

The highly touted - and some would say overhyped - No. 1 pick has jumped back into the conversation as one of the NHL's top rookies with a late-season surge.

Stamkos scored twice in Tampa Bay's 4-3 shootout loss to Atlanta on Saturday, the third consecutive game in which he has scored a goal.

With four goals in his past three games, points in the past five and 14 points in the past 12 games, Stamkos has entered the top six in the rookie scoring race with 38 points.

With nine goals in the past 12 games, he is on the verge of accomplishing something many thought was out of reach this season - breaking the 20-goal barrier. With 10 games left, the 19-year-old from Markham, Ont., needs two goals to reach 20, something only three other rookies have accomplished this season.

"That would be pretty satisfying for me, especially after the way the first half of the season went," he said.

Entering the season with big expectations following the team's "Seen Stamkos?" campaign that made him a household name, he was touted as a Calder Trophy favorite as rookie of the year even before he reported to training camp.

Limited ice time crippled his confidence early as it took nine games to score his first goal. By the midway point of the season Stamkos had four goals and 10 assists, and plenty of pundits were ready to label him a bust who should have been sent back to the junior ranks for the rest of the season.

"It was tough to block it out with all the media attention left, right and center. As much as you don't want to think about it, it's right there," Stamkos said. "Some guys go into a shell when they hear stuff like that, but it wasn't a shock to me because I knew I wasn't playing that great and it was a tough situation to be in."

But since he was a healthy scratch for the first time in the team's 41st game, on Jan. 9 in Anaheim, he was put on a strength and conditioning program and has taken off on the ice with 14 goals and 24 points in 29 games. His hot second half has Stamkos sixth in rookie scoring with 38 points, tied for fourth in rookie goals with 18 and tied for third with eight power-play goals.

"Even when I told him he wasn't going to play, he was disappointed, but he wasn't pouting," Lightning interim coach Rick Tocchet said. "I remember the next day he wasn't exactly smiling, but he was ready to go to work. That's why I'm proud of him. That's probably the biggest positive for us this year, is that he has taken his game to another level at such a young age."

Recently he has been logging more than 20 minutes a game, manning the left point on the top power-play unit while centering a line with former MVP Marty St. Louis and Ryan Malone. He even has been the first over the boards to take shootout attempts, as he was Saturday.

During the latter stages of the season, Stamkos has seen his confidence level escape from behind a dark line of clouds.

"The confidence is there, so the goals are starting to come," he said.

Reporter Erik Erlendsson can be reached at (813) 259-7853.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT