From: wilson@cs.ucf.edu (tom wilson)
Subject: LIGHTNING NEWS: Edmonton vs. TB 12/12
Organization: University of Central Florida, Orlando
Date: Mon, 14 Dec 1992 05:43:47 GMT

EDM - 0 0 1 - 1
TB  - 1 0 2 - 3

1 - TB  Beers 6    (Chambers, Tucker)  16:27 (pp)

2 - none

3 - TB  Bradley 22 (Chambers, Maltais)  2:13 (pp)
    EDM Tikkanen 3 (Simpson, Corson)   18:42
    TB  Bradley 23 (Kasper, Cole)      19:56 (en)

Shots on goal: EDM 8- 7-10--25
               TB  7-10- 6--23
Power plays:   EDM 0 of 5
               TB  2 of 8
Goalies:       EDM Ranford 6-14-3, 22 shots, 20 saves
               TB  Bergeron 1-1-0, 25 shots, 24 saves
Attendance:    10,425 (8th sellout)

-----

* Lightning beat Oilers, end slide

There was nothing slick in Tampa's game plan for beating the Edmonton Oilers
Saturday night at Expo Hall. The plan was old-fashioned and simple, and most
important, it produced results that have been missing since early in the
season.

A solid, blue-collar defensive effort, a determined work ethic and a
consistent, no-mistake performance by a rookie goaltender were the ingredients
the Lightning (11-19-2) utilized to end their longest losing streak of the
season -- six games -- with a 3-1 victory over Edmonton in front of 10,425.

The game may not have had the flash of some recent shootouts the Lightning
have been locked in, but the victory provided needed relief as Tampa Bay
embarks on a two-game swing to the west coast. After grabbing a share of the
Norris Division lead on Nov. 13, Tampa had won once in 12 games.

Bob Beers and Brian Bradley scored power-play goals, and rookie goaltender
J.C. Bergeron kept Edmonton scoreless until the game's waning moments, paving
the way to the victory.

Bergeron's bid for his first NHL shutout was foiled by Esa Tikkanen, who
received a goalmouth pass from Craig Simpson and fired a shot inside the right
post with 1:18 remaining in the game.

It was the lone glitch in an otherwise impressive showing by the defense.
Bergeron had 24 saves, and the Lightning's defense did any excellent job of
clearing rebounds in front of him.

Trailing 2-1, the Oilers pulled goaltender Bill Ranford for a sixth attacker
in the final minute but could not notch a tying goal. Bradley iced the decision
with 4 seconds remaining, scoring into an empty net for his second goal of the
game and team-leading 23rd of the season.

"It was a big effort by everybody," Bradley said. "This should boost
everybody's confidence. Our defense played well, our goaltending was
exceptional and when we had our chances we put them away. It was a solid team
effort.

"It'll be a fun day off tomorrow [today] instead of coming to the rink and
making it a chore."

The Lightning forged a 1-0 lead on a goal by defenseman Bob Beers late in the
first period, his sixth of the season. Tampa's defense stood tall in front of
Bergeron, limiting Edmonton to 15 shots in the first 40 minutes and few good
chances. Tampa carried the one-goal lead into the third period.

Bradley increased the lead to 2-0 early in the third period, sweeping a
backhander under Ranford's pads from the right edge of the crease.

Bergeron, getting his second consecutive start, was not tested a great deal,
but when he needed to make a few key stops, he made them.

Tampa coach Terry Crisp indicated he'd like to get more of a look at Bergeron,
who was 13-3-2 before being called up from Atlanta. He said he didn't bring
Bergeron to Tampa to sit and watch.

"He made the key saves at the key times, and that was the difference tonight,"
Crisp said. "It's tough to take out a goaltender who just beat Edmonton, 3-1.
Mrs. Bergeron wouldn't be happy with me."

A key to the victory was the play of Tampa's special teams. The Lightning
scored two goals on the power play -- they have 10 power-play goals in their
last five games -- and killed off all five of Edmonton's power plays.

"I think the guys in front of me played an awesome game," Bergeron said. "They
showed a mark of confidence in me, and that's good."

Tom
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