From: wilson@cs.ucf.edu (tom wilson)
Subject: A controversial ending - TB/LA 12/15
Summary: Radio Game Notes
Organization: University of Central Florida, Orlando
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 08:16:49 GMT

It was Tampa's first ever game against LA. LA was sporting one of the best home
records in the league. Goalie Stauber was 9-0-1 (at home? or overall?). Tampa
forwards were: Zamuner, DiMaio, Cole, Maltais, Kontos, Kasper, Creighton,
Tucker, Bureau, Hartman, Andersson, and Bradley. I didn't get the starting
lines, but they didn't stay together very long. The defensemen were: Bergevin,
Taglianetti, Crossman, Beers, Hamrlik, and Reekie. J.C. Bergeron started his
3rd consecutive game since being called up from Atlanta. Ramage and Chambers
were scratched (I think Chambers went to Atlanta).

In the first period, Danton Cole hurt his knee. They said there was some
ligament damage and he would be out 2-6 weeks. I don't know if they will get
someone up from Atlanta for the game tomorrow in San Jose. I guess someone
is travelling with the team for such a happening. Anyway, while LA had a man
in the box, TB got a questionable penalty (according to the announcers). Not
long after, they got a "real" penalty. LA didn't score 4v3 but they did tally
5v3 on a goal by Robitaille from Coffey at 18:20. I think the play was pretty
even, but it sounded like Stauber made the more amazing saves. On THREE
occasions when TB had the power play, LA had very good scoring chances. One
player had a break away and shot high. Bergeron saved the other two chances.
1-0 at the end of the 1st.

In the second period, each team had a man off. TB scored on what was described
as a pretty passing play by Bradley to Kontos to Crossman, who scored at 7:46
to tie the score. Later in the period, TB was mounting immense pressure on
Stauber. After several saves, Kontos scored from Tucker and Reekie at 16:24
to give TB a 2-1 lead. It looked like TB would end the period ahead, but Millen
scored from Coffey at 19:15 to tie the score at 2-2.

TB was something like 1-4-0 when tied after 2 on the road while LA was 3-0-0
at home. Each team had lots of chances, and again it sounded like Stauber made
the more spectacular saves. Bergeron did have his share though. At one point
in the game (not sure if it was in the 3rd), TB had a breakaway and Stauber
came way out to break it up. This was his downfall later. At 19:27, Mikael
Andersson came in on a breakaway. Stauber came way out and was beat. He threw
his stick to break up the play (don't know how acurate "threw" is). Andersson
was awarded the penalty shot with less than 33 seconds left in a 2-2 game.
He went to his backhanded and slid the puck under Stauber's pad (not through
but under). Stauber's momentum carried him into the goal. The ref pointed to
the goal but the light didn't come on (goal judge couldn't see the puck in
the goal because Stauber's pad was on top of it). The fans cheered for the
save, but littered the ice when they learned the outcome. I saw the goal on
Headline News and there wasn't much question as Stauber's entire lower body
was in the goal.

That was the final: 3-2 on a game-winning penalty shot. It was TB second PS
this year, but the first converted. This continues a league streak of 8
straight converted PS's after 2 misses: 80%!!!

The three stars of the game were: 3-Coffey, 2-Kontos, 1-Bradley. I didn't get
that Bradley was #1, but they said he played well defensively. I thought
Stauber would be one of the stars. Crossman's goal was career number 99.

Speaking of 99, Brent's brother, Wayne (has he ever been referred to that
way 8-), was on hand for the 1st period intermission. I should have listened
more closely, but he said he liked the expansion choices. It will be good in
the long run for the league. I hope someone has heard Wayne speak on this
topic and will post. My local paper says Mario may be the new league spokesman
since Wayne might not play again. I wonder what he has to say on the matter.

Tomorrow, it's part 2 of the battle between new and old expansion teams as TB
seeks revenge against SJ. SJ stole a win in TB earlier this year when they
played very strong D and capitalized on a couple of TB mistakes in the 3rd
period to take a 2-0 lead. They won 2-1. The game's on radio again, so look
for Nelson's report for better info than mine.

Tom