PR - Misconducts

VOKOUN SHINS IN SECOND STINT WITH TEAM

Tomas Vokoun shinned last night in Miami's 3-3 tie against the Michigan Pain. Vokoun stopped 41 out 44 shots to earn a much needed point for the Misconducts in their chase for a better playoff seeding. He earned the number one star of game but he could have easily won all three stars of the game with the way he played. Coach Lemaire has even decided to let Vokoun get another start tonight when the team faces the Spirit.

Vokoun who was reacquired last week to provide a solid backup to Martin Brodeur has played well this year. How long he can keep this play up is anyone's guess but if he continues to play like he has recently there is a possibilty that can claim the number one spot from Martin Brodeur. Until then Vokoun is contain with his role on the Misconducts and is very happy to be back in Miami for the foreseeable future.

STAR POWER RETURNS FOR MIAMI

For the past year and half the Misconducts were in the middle of a rebuilding phase that saw them acquire numbers draft picks and young players like Boris Valabik, Juraj Kolnik, Alexei Ponikarovsky, Mattias Ritola, Shawn Belle, Johnny Boychuk, Matt Smaby, Corey Perry, Rosario Ruggeri, and countless other good young players. Some of those players like Ponikarovsky and Ruggeri are no longer with the Misconducts. While others have failed to develop as planned but still remain in the organization. But over this time period one thing lacked on the Misconducts, and that was the lack of true star power. That no longer is a concern with the Misconducts. In the recent months they have gone out and gotten players like Daymond Langkow and Martin Brodeur to fill huge holes at goaltending and center. But the cream of the crop had to be the deal that land them one of the best players in the league in Peter Forsberg.

With Langkow, Forsberg, and Brodeur this team has set it self up not only to make the playoffs this year but in a wide open Easteren Conference anything is possible for this team. Especially if players like Teemu Laakso, Boychuk, Belle, Smaby, Kristian Huselius, Ivan Huml, Jan Hrdina, and Tomas Vokoun all continue to contribute to the success of the team. Not only does the outlook for the rest of the season look bright for the Misconducts but with the Felony doing so well this year and with 6 picks in the first three rounds of the draft the future for this team looks just as bright.

HRDINA CLOSE TO BEING GAME READY

Today at the morning skate Jan Hrdina was able to participate in non contact drills. He is still feeling a little sore but the team feels he will be able to return at some point this weekend and help the team. Once he returns he will be reunited with linemates Ivan Huml and Kristian Huselius who form one of the more productive lines in recent Misconducts history.

PREVIEW OF TONIGHT'S GAME

Tonight, the Misconduct face the Spirit in game that could turn into a high scoring affair. The Spirit are one of the worst defensive teams in the league giving up an average of over 3.5 goals a game. Only the Colt 45 and Patriots have given up more goals than the Spirit. However the Spirit also has a fair share of guys who can put the puck in the net with the likes of Krystofer Kolanos, Radek Bonk, and Marian Hossa up front. If the game becomes a shootout look for the Spirit to take this one especially with Jan Hrdina still out for this game. But if the Misconducts keep this game a low scoring affair they should be able to pull out a victory. Starting goaltenders tonight look to be Patrick Lalime for the Spirit and Tomas Vokoun will once again be between the pipes. Will Vokoun have enough energy ater last night''s 41 save performance to be just as good tonight ? If not the Misconducts will surely suffer a loss, but head coah Jacques Lemaire has faith that Vokoun will be just as good tonight.