Lightning suits up 50th player tonight

The Lightning made two call-upfrom AHL Norfolk s for tonight's game with the Capitals: defensemen KevinQuick and defenseman Geoff Kinrade. Quick has been here before, but Kinrade is making his NHL debut, which means Tampa Bay will suit up its 50th player and NHL record 22nd defenseman.

Kinrade, 23, is in a pretty interesting  situation. Signed March 20 by the Admirals to an amateur tryout contract out of Michigan Tech, he is expected to sign a one-game amateur tryout contract with the Lightning so he can play against Washington.

"When I told him he was going up, I thought he was going to throw up on my shoes," Norfolk GM Mike Butters said. "He was so nervous."

Lightning coach Rick Tocchet appreciates the situation and said, "We'll get him in good situations. I don't think his first shift should be against Ovechkin, but he might have a chance to go against him and test himself. It's a dream come true for him."

Butters said Kinrade is a good skater who "tracks the puck well and is not afraid to jump into the play. He's smart." He also has a goal and four points in the eight games he has played for Norfolk.

How did things get to a point where Kinrade was Tampa Bay's best option. Well, start with the fact that the Lightning added left wing Ryan Malone (hand) and defenseman Matt Lashoff (lower body) to the injury list. That left Tampa Bay with just Lukas Krajicek, Noah Welch, Matt Smaby and Vladimir Mihalik on the blue line, especially if you expect David Koci to play as a forward. That led to the call-ups of Quick and Kinrade.

Why Kinrade? Well, Norfolk has some injury problems of its own with defensemen Brent Henley (elbow) and Scott Jackson (leg) both out, Mike Lundin would have to clear waivers, something the Lightning does not want to take a chance on and Ty Wishart is away from the team on personal business. And, hey, Kinrade has played well.

Kinrade gets one game to make his case to stay, as the tryout contact is for one game only. It is to be seen hat the team will do for Saturday's season finale in Atlanta.

Other stuff from this morning: Today is Tocchet's 45th birthday. ... Karri Ramo gets the start in net. ... Just as a reminder, the Lightning record is 53 players set in 1999-2000. ... To compensate for the lack of experience on the blue line, Tocchet stressed the need to "play as five," against the Capitals. "I don't want to see us back off. I want us to play an abrasive game, in their face to slow them down. We can't back off against this team, especially in our building." ... Don Koharski, 53, a Dade City resident, ill refereehis final game tonight. It will be his 1,976th game, including playoffs. It is his 2,139th if you count the games he worked as a linesman from 1977-79.

Comments

[Coach Bill]

Hockey Talkie- Are you home? Check in please.
CB

[Ben bolt fan]

Hey Damian, give Lawton my number so I can skate with an NHL club against Atl. This will give me time to buy some skates and then learn how to skate before Saturday. You have to compare this club to maybe, the old Montreal Expos. What a great minor league hockey club. The poor season ticket holders have to endure another lost at home. What a shame for them, all that money for only 12 home wins.
I would like to see Koci not a get another game misconduct. I think the refs have there arm half way up when he comes over the boards. They send him packing every game these days.

[hockeytalkie]

alright gang,

here it is my entry from the land of my father's parents homeland.

so did we make the playoffs? :-)

seriously, one mistake in this blog by DC, KOHO lives in Lake Jovita which is in St. Leo NOT Dade City. how do i know this one, b/c i live about 3 minutes by jog from st leo and 6 minutes from the lake jovita community.
happy easter to all and

DO WIDZENIA

[Broi!an]

My wife was a trainer at a gym briefly and one day she covered for another trainer and Don Koharski was the person she ended up training that day. It was a couple years ago and he was getting ready for the world cup I believe. Said he was a very kind very funny man. I though Don always called a decent game. Wish him the best, that is a lot of games to have gotten through with most of the people in the building wishing you harm.

[HockeyBay.com]

Can someone please e-mail me all 50 players info@hockeybay.com