Biggest game in Lightning history
By TOM JONES, Times Staff Writer
Published May 18, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAMPA - Two gruesome black-and-blue semicircles underline both eyes.
Seven stitches bind a nasty red cut on his right eyebrow.
A bump with a hideous scab over it sticks out from the bridge of his nose. Several nicks and scratches are sprinkled across his left cheekbone. A scraggly six-week beard buries a few more scrapes and gashes.
Lightning defenseman Cory Sarich looks like something from Dr. Frankenstein's basement.
"That's what makes it worthwhile," Sarich said. "If it was easy to go out there and do it, it would be no fun.
"This is why you play the game. This is a blast. This is what it's all about."
This is what you must suffer just to arrive at this moment:
The biggest game in the 12-year history of the Lightning franchise.
Tonight, the Lightning plays the Flyers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final. Win and the Lightning goes up 3-2 in the best- of-seven series. Lose and the Lightning falls behind 3-2 and needs two victories, including one on the road, to reach the Stanley Cup final.
The series won't end tonight, but it could be decided.
"Yes, I think this might be the most important game ever," Lightning forward Ruslan Fedotenko said. "In the playoffs, every game is important, but (tonight) is definitely ... "
Fedotenko searched through his mental thesaurus looking for the perfect word to describe the importance of tonight's game. He finally shrugged his shoulders and came up with "huge," but even that seemed flat.
"It's crunch time of the series," Lightning forward Tim Taylor said. "Whoever wins Game 5 takes a stranglehold of the series and has momentum.
"It's a huge game for us. It's a big game for them. ... At the start of the series, I think both teams expected Game 5 to be crucial and it is."
The game is crucial for both, but perhaps a little more for the Lightning. It doesn't want to go to hostile Philadelphia for Game 6 facing elimination. Meantime, the Flyers could lose knowing they are going home for a chance to send the series to an anything-can-happen Game 7.
Like a prize fight, the teams have traded haymakers and counterpunches through four games and have spent times in their corners talking trash.
The Lightning won Games 1 and 3, the Flyers responded in Games 2 and 4. Both teams have dominated at times. Both have won in the other team's building. Both have injuries.
The Lightning, though, spent the past two days cursing the game that got away. It held the lead and control in Game 4 before crumbling under the weight of Keith Primeau and the Flyers.
"We had chances to go up 2-0 in that game and, looking back, it is discouraging to think of that," Taylor said.
"But before the series, we didn't expect to sweep. I don't think they expected to sweep. Now it comes down to a best-of-three."
As the teams turn the final corner in a dead heat, it's impossible to tell which has the edge. The Lightning has home-ice advantage with Games 5 and 7, if needed, at the St. Pete Times Forum.
But the Flyers are coming off a physically intimidating victory that might have been less of an aberration in this series and more of a trend.
After tonight, the pendulum swings heavily in the winner's favor.
"We're at a whole other level now and there is no time now to slack off," Sarich said. "You can't do it, you can't ease up at all. There's no room to slack off."
That means by the end of tonight, Sarich's cuts, scrapes and aching bones might have a few neighbors.
"Who cares about stuff like this?" Sarich said, pointing to his face. "You're playing for a Stanley Cup. Most players would almost give their left leg to do that. This is the biggest game I've ever played in. I've played in the World Junior Championships for a gold medal, but that doesn't even come close in comparison to this.
"I've played a few (minor-league) final games, but, nope, I've never played in a bigger game than this."
Neither has the Lightning.
-----------------------------------
Primed for Primeau
Lightning has plan to keep brawny Flyer from dictating action.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published May 18, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAMPA - Keith Primeau has forced the Lightning to do something out of character ... worry about an opposing player.
Actually, worry might be overstating. But Tampa Bay is certainly thinking about the Flyers captain, who has put his imprint on the East final.
"It's the playoffs," defenseman Pavel Kubina said. "You have to do anything you can."
"We're definitely going to be on a guy like that," defenseman Cory Sarich said. "He's a big man. He's been throwing his body around. We're going to have to find a way to slow him down."
In Games 3 and 4 that was like trying to slow time.
Primeau had two goals and an assist, six shots on goal and was plus-3. His short-handed goal won Game 4 and tied the series at two games apiece heading into tonight's Game 5 at the St. Pete Times Forum.
And at 6 feet 5, 220 pounds he has set a physical tone that has rubbed off on his teammates.
"It's no secret Primes has been our best player and he really has led us," Flyers left wing John LeClair said. "There's been several occasions where he's just taken charge and everybody has kind of jumped on and followed."
It would serve the Lightning well, then, to put a crimp in Primeau's game; to get in his way, to make him zig when he wants to zag, to get under his skin.
The knee-jerk reaction would be to put a body on him. When Primeau hits, hit him back, knock him down, make him pay the way Washington's Jaromir Jagr paid in last season's playoffs.
That might be fun to watch but it also could cause peril if Tampa Bay runs around and abandons its positioning while throwing checks. Philadelphia is much more talented than the Capitals and better able to take advantage.
Even Kubina, who was assigned to Jagr, said Primeau's ability to withstand physical challenges makes that strategy dangerous.
The Lightning's plan is more subtle. It simply wants to play its game; forecheck, keep the puck in the Flyers zone and force the defense to commit turnovers.
That is not to say the Lightning won't be physical.
"There's going to be some heavy banging out there," Sarich said. "Any chance you have to get a lick on any of their players, that's what the playoffs is all about."
Center Tim Taylor said it will be within a bigger picture that includes Primeau.
"What helps him dominate is not so much offensive skills, but it's the big hits and the way he can change games and create momentum," Taylor said. "It's not so much hitting him, it's getting the puck to their D and hitting their D as many times as the puck is in their zone.
"That way he doesn't have a chance to run at our D. Then he's doing a lot of skating for nothing in their zone. And I truly believe, as much as he's playing (22:28 in Game 4), he's going to get a little worn down too."
Debatable. Primeau missed 21 games from Feb. 14 through March 27 with a concussion. Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock believes that freshened Primeau's legs.
Primeau, 32, said the injury helped spark his playoff success. Being out for six weeks made him realize he cannot take his career for granted. He also said he believed he "was letting his teammates down. So when I got back it was extremely important and imperative I get back in shape as quickly as possible and try to get back where I was."
The Toronto native may be better. His seven goals in 15 playoff games equal what he scored in 54 regular-season games and are two fewer than his career playoff total. Whatever the cause and effect, the Lightning wants to create some of its own.
"It's like he carries the team," wing Ruslan Fedotenko said. "But you know what? When we're on top of our game, it doesn't matter who is there. If we play our game, create offense and score goals and let them chase us, we can beat them."
"We're not going to change," left wing Fredrik Modin said. "We respect what he's doing out there. He's a good player. We just have to be aware of him when he's out there and take away time and space."
Good thinking.
-------------
By TOM JONES, Times Staff Writer
Published May 18, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAMPA - Two gruesome black-and-blue semicircles underline both eyes.
Seven stitches bind a nasty red cut on his right eyebrow.
A bump with a hideous scab over it sticks out from the bridge of his nose. Several nicks and scratches are sprinkled across his left cheekbone. A scraggly six-week beard buries a few more scrapes and gashes.
Lightning defenseman Cory Sarich looks like something from Dr. Frankenstein's basement.
"That's what makes it worthwhile," Sarich said. "If it was easy to go out there and do it, it would be no fun.
"This is why you play the game. This is a blast. This is what it's all about."
This is what you must suffer just to arrive at this moment:
The biggest game in the 12-year history of the Lightning franchise.
Tonight, the Lightning plays the Flyers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final. Win and the Lightning goes up 3-2 in the best- of-seven series. Lose and the Lightning falls behind 3-2 and needs two victories, including one on the road, to reach the Stanley Cup final.
The series won't end tonight, but it could be decided.
"Yes, I think this might be the most important game ever," Lightning forward Ruslan Fedotenko said. "In the playoffs, every game is important, but (tonight) is definitely ... "
Fedotenko searched through his mental thesaurus looking for the perfect word to describe the importance of tonight's game. He finally shrugged his shoulders and came up with "huge," but even that seemed flat.
"It's crunch time of the series," Lightning forward Tim Taylor said. "Whoever wins Game 5 takes a stranglehold of the series and has momentum.
"It's a huge game for us. It's a big game for them. ... At the start of the series, I think both teams expected Game 5 to be crucial and it is."
The game is crucial for both, but perhaps a little more for the Lightning. It doesn't want to go to hostile Philadelphia for Game 6 facing elimination. Meantime, the Flyers could lose knowing they are going home for a chance to send the series to an anything-can-happen Game 7.
Like a prize fight, the teams have traded haymakers and counterpunches through four games and have spent times in their corners talking trash.
The Lightning won Games 1 and 3, the Flyers responded in Games 2 and 4. Both teams have dominated at times. Both have won in the other team's building. Both have injuries.
The Lightning, though, spent the past two days cursing the game that got away. It held the lead and control in Game 4 before crumbling under the weight of Keith Primeau and the Flyers.
"We had chances to go up 2-0 in that game and, looking back, it is discouraging to think of that," Taylor said.
"But before the series, we didn't expect to sweep. I don't think they expected to sweep. Now it comes down to a best-of-three."
As the teams turn the final corner in a dead heat, it's impossible to tell which has the edge. The Lightning has home-ice advantage with Games 5 and 7, if needed, at the St. Pete Times Forum.
But the Flyers are coming off a physically intimidating victory that might have been less of an aberration in this series and more of a trend.
After tonight, the pendulum swings heavily in the winner's favor.
"We're at a whole other level now and there is no time now to slack off," Sarich said. "You can't do it, you can't ease up at all. There's no room to slack off."
That means by the end of tonight, Sarich's cuts, scrapes and aching bones might have a few neighbors.
"Who cares about stuff like this?" Sarich said, pointing to his face. "You're playing for a Stanley Cup. Most players would almost give their left leg to do that. This is the biggest game I've ever played in. I've played in the World Junior Championships for a gold medal, but that doesn't even come close in comparison to this.
"I've played a few (minor-league) final games, but, nope, I've never played in a bigger game than this."
Neither has the Lightning.
-----------------------------------
Primed for Primeau
Lightning has plan to keep brawny Flyer from dictating action.
By DAMIAN CRISTODERO, Times Staff Writer
Published May 18, 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TAMPA - Keith Primeau has forced the Lightning to do something out of character ... worry about an opposing player.
Actually, worry might be overstating. But Tampa Bay is certainly thinking about the Flyers captain, who has put his imprint on the East final.
"It's the playoffs," defenseman Pavel Kubina said. "You have to do anything you can."
"We're definitely going to be on a guy like that," defenseman Cory Sarich said. "He's a big man. He's been throwing his body around. We're going to have to find a way to slow him down."
In Games 3 and 4 that was like trying to slow time.
Primeau had two goals and an assist, six shots on goal and was plus-3. His short-handed goal won Game 4 and tied the series at two games apiece heading into tonight's Game 5 at the St. Pete Times Forum.
And at 6 feet 5, 220 pounds he has set a physical tone that has rubbed off on his teammates.
"It's no secret Primes has been our best player and he really has led us," Flyers left wing John LeClair said. "There's been several occasions where he's just taken charge and everybody has kind of jumped on and followed."
It would serve the Lightning well, then, to put a crimp in Primeau's game; to get in his way, to make him zig when he wants to zag, to get under his skin.
The knee-jerk reaction would be to put a body on him. When Primeau hits, hit him back, knock him down, make him pay the way Washington's Jaromir Jagr paid in last season's playoffs.
That might be fun to watch but it also could cause peril if Tampa Bay runs around and abandons its positioning while throwing checks. Philadelphia is much more talented than the Capitals and better able to take advantage.
Even Kubina, who was assigned to Jagr, said Primeau's ability to withstand physical challenges makes that strategy dangerous.
The Lightning's plan is more subtle. It simply wants to play its game; forecheck, keep the puck in the Flyers zone and force the defense to commit turnovers.
That is not to say the Lightning won't be physical.
"There's going to be some heavy banging out there," Sarich said. "Any chance you have to get a lick on any of their players, that's what the playoffs is all about."
Center Tim Taylor said it will be within a bigger picture that includes Primeau.
"What helps him dominate is not so much offensive skills, but it's the big hits and the way he can change games and create momentum," Taylor said. "It's not so much hitting him, it's getting the puck to their D and hitting their D as many times as the puck is in their zone.
"That way he doesn't have a chance to run at our D. Then he's doing a lot of skating for nothing in their zone. And I truly believe, as much as he's playing (22:28 in Game 4), he's going to get a little worn down too."
Debatable. Primeau missed 21 games from Feb. 14 through March 27 with a concussion. Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock believes that freshened Primeau's legs.
Primeau, 32, said the injury helped spark his playoff success. Being out for six weeks made him realize he cannot take his career for granted. He also said he believed he "was letting his teammates down. So when I got back it was extremely important and imperative I get back in shape as quickly as possible and try to get back where I was."
The Toronto native may be better. His seven goals in 15 playoff games equal what he scored in 54 regular-season games and are two fewer than his career playoff total. Whatever the cause and effect, the Lightning wants to create some of its own.
"It's like he carries the team," wing Ruslan Fedotenko said. "But you know what? When we're on top of our game, it doesn't matter who is there. If we play our game, create offense and score goals and let them chase us, we can beat them."
"We're not going to change," left wing Fredrik Modin said. "We respect what he's doing out there. He's a good player. We just have to be aware of him when he's out there and take away time and space."
Good thinking.
-------------
