BC-HKN–Stanley Cup-Fedotenko Out,0468

Top-line forward Fedotenko misses Game 4

By IRA PODELL

AP Sports Writer

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) – Tampa Bay’s leading goal-scorer Ruslan Fedotenko sat out Game 4 of the Stanley Cup finals on Monday after slamming his face into the boards two nights earlier.

Lightning defenseman Pavel Kubina was also scratched after taking an elbow to the head early in Game 4.

Late in the Lightning’s 3-0 loss Saturday in Game 3, Calgary defenseman Robyn Regehr drilled Fedotenko and as the right winger was going down, he struck the right side of his face where the boards meet the glass.

He was at the arena Sunday and Monday but didn’t take part in the morning skate before Game 4. He also didn’t speak to reporters.

Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella said Fedotenko’s status would be decided at game time. It was then that Fedotenko was scratched for Ben Clymer.

Fedotenko has 10 goals in the playoffs, including four on the Lightning power play that was potent before the finals against the Flames.

“He’s been a force out there in the playoffs and it’s time for other guys to step up,” linemate Martin St. Louis said. “That’s playoff hockey. You can’t just feel bad that guys can’t go. You’ve got to move on.”

Fedotenko was face down on the ice for several minutes while he was given medical attention Saturday night. He managed to skate off under his own power but he wasn’t well enough to play Monday when his team tried to tie the best-of-seven series.

Calgary coach Darryl Sutter was emphatic that the hit by Regehr was clean. He said Fedotenko was injured because of how and where he fell into the boards. Tortorella declined to give his opinion of the play.

Fedotenko sported a swollen and cut right side of his face the next day.

Kubina took the hard hit that led him to miss Game 5 in the opening minute of Game 4. He was slammed by Martin Gelinas, who received a penalty.

Kubina has four assists in 19 playoff games and was replaced in the lineup by forward Martin Cibak.

Clymer made just his second appearance in these playoffs. The 25-year-old right winger has been waiting for a chance to play since Game 5 of the opening round against the New York Islanders on April 23.

He and the other regular scratches skated a little longer on Monday and took part in some extra drills to be ready if Fedotenko couldn’t play.

“We’ve all taken the necessary steps that if we have to go in the lineup we’ll be prepared,” Clymer said before finding out he was in. “That sort of thing has been taken care of.”

Going with Cibak left Tampa Bay with six active defenseman for Game 5. The Lightning had been using seven defensemen throughout the playoffs.

AP-ES-05-31-04 2029EDT