Holmqvist forces the issue

It should not be a surprise that Johan Holmqvist will be in net Tuesday against the Oilers. The guy has two consecutive shutouts, after all. More interesting is what this will mean for the team's stated plan to evaluate Karri Ramo to see if he has the stuff to be a legitimate No. 1.

As it turns out, the Lightning, amazingly, is still in the playoff race (it began Monday just seven points out of first in the Southeast) and, shockingly, wants to get in. So, as coach John Tortorella said today, Holmqvist will keep playing as long as he keeps winning (or I would believe is playing well).

What does this mean for Ramo? Well, the guy has a great attitude and understands this is part of the learning process. As goaltenders coach Jeff Reese said, playing okay is, well, okay. But if Ramo wants to keep playing, he has to raise his level. Ramo said he understands that and believes he has another level to give.

Interestingly, Ramo said he will now go through the process Holmqvist described he went through while Ramo was getting the bulk of the playing time. He will get back to basics. He and Reese will work on the little things like staying square to the shooter and staying mentally focused. Hey, it worked for Holmqvist, who was as sharp as we've seen him the last two days. And I don't mean sharp like he was putting on a clinic that should be videotaped and watched by young goalies. I mean he was in position, was seeing the puck well through traffic and made the saves he had to. And that is all you want from a goalie.

And good for Ramo for seeing the situation for what it is. More on this in tomorrow's paper.

And FYI: Defenseman Dan Boyle is expected to play this week, perhaps as soon as Tuesday. ... Also, Torts will tie the late Herb Brooks Tuesday for most games by a U.S.-born coach at 506. He needs seven more wins to tie Bob Johnson's record for U.S.-born coaches at 234.

Comments

[Another Joe]

Holmer deserves this shot to regain the #1 job. Ramo has a great attitude and just being up with the team will help him. And im sure he will get some starts here and there even if Holmer continues to play well, he cant play everygame.

Lets keep it going this week and get few more wins before the break.

These next 10 games will tell the tale for the Bolts. Need 8 wins!!!

Go bolts!

[olin]

Right now, it doesn't matter whose in goal...we have 2 great goalie's who can share being #1. It's the defense that's the problem

[Eric]

Ramo is only, what, 21? He has plenty of time left and being #2 won't kill him.

It was/is probably too soon anyways for him to be up here and playing as much as he was. He is doing well, don't get me wrong, but there are times when you can see that he is quite raw i.e. rebound control.

Good for Holmer, hes playing well.

[Cindy]

I have always been a big fan of Holmer win or loose ever since I went to my first Lightning game last December. It was so great to see him get these last few road wins and back to back shutouts! Awesome, don't get me wrong I love Ramo's attitude and he has the potential for being a good goalie but he's young and still has time to learn.
I hate to see both of them get the heat for the loses the team has had. You need your team and your D in front of you preforming to level because a goalie (no matter how good or bad) can't stop every puck.
Can't wait until I go to see them again against Loungo and the Canucks!

[Cindy]

I have always been a big fan of Holmer win or loose ever since I went to my first Lightning game last December. It was so great to see him get these last few road wins and back to back shutouts! Awesome, don't get me wrong I love Ramo's attitude and he has the potential for being a good goalie but he's young and still has time to learn.
I hate to see both of them get the heat for the loses the team has had. You need your team and your D in front of you preforming to level because a goalie (no matter how good or bad) can't stop every puck.
Can't wait until I go to see them again against Loungo and the Canucks!

[Foghat Legman]

Good for Holmer, stay up a little longer Lad!
Oh, I could have done without the part of hearing Jeff Reese getting into Karri's head...
With Ramo backing up, THIS is the situation I wanted us in LAST year!
If I hear about Denis again, I'm goin' for the knees...

[harvey]

If I hear about Denis again, I'm goin' for the knees...

Posted by: Foghat Legman | January 21, 2008 at 04:35 PM

I'll hand you the nightstick!

[leo]

Changing our minds every 2 weeks a propos who deserves "chance" to be num1 clearly indicates a change in goaltending SITUATION every 2 weeks. That's not GOOD.
I don't care if it's Wong Fei Hung or Fong Sai Yuk with the pads on, I just want a Lightning goaler who will play 60 games with a .925 overall save percentage. This guy, that guy, unless he's my brother, what do I care? We SHOULDN'T be forever discussing our goaltending.
EVERYBODY, ANYBODY deserves a "chance" to be our num1 goaler. Why? Cause we don't have one!
Holmie is HOT. Ride him. Ride the guy until he drops the ball. (again)
And then, guess what?
"Hey, we think Ramo deserves a chance to be num1."
...until he drops the ball.
And so on and so forth does the wheel turn.
Well, thing is, this wheel is STILL missing a few Bolts.
P.

[Mike13]

I agree. Ride the hot goalie, or in case we don't have one, alternate them.

[Not The Marboro Man]

I think this team needs to reevaluate its coaching problems. They have not addressed player problems and the night after night rigors of over playing their stars. They are currently driving players night after night to the point of exhaustion. I think this was indicative of Holmer's problems earlier in the season. Its going to be intersting to see if Holmer is going to continue his abiliy to dominate or is something else going to manifest itself on this team's list of excuses.