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Nagy scores in OT to lift Stars over Lightning

Feb 28, 2007 - 4:41 AM TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Ladislav Nagy continues to get accustomed to his new teammates.

Nagy scored 1:35 into overtime as the red-hot Dallas Stars recorded a 2-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Acquired from the Phoenix Coyotes on February 12 for Mathias Tjarnqvist and a first-round pick in this year's draft, Nagy scored for the second time in six games with Dallas.

Nagy netted his 10th goal of the season with a wrister in the slot off Mike Ribeiro's centering feed that beat goaltender Johan Holmqvist to the glove side.

"There is definitely a comfortability already," Nagy said. "I know Mike (Ribeiro) likes to set up behind the net so it's just a matter of getting used to the passes. ... That was just an unbelievable pass. He has such a great feel for the game and makes it easy to take good shots."

"When you have a player of Nagy's quality, it looks easier," Ribeiro said. "He makes everything smoother out there and you see him so well. ... Coach tells me to always keep working on that play behind the net. I missed it once during the game early on, and I just saw it develop easily in overtime."

The tally by Nagy gave the Stars their eighth win in 10 games.

"We're playing some terrific hockey and it showed again tonight," Dallas goaltender Marty Turco said. "We went up against a hot team that likes to play up-tempo and kept them off balance a little. We set the tone and played a solid hockey game."

The game was scoreless until Jere Lehtinen fired a shot from the left faceoff circle that found the top left corner of the net with 9:01 left in the second period. It was his 22nd tally of the season.

Tampa Bay tied the game with 19 seconds remaining in the middle session when Brad Richards netted his 23rd tally on a shorthanded breakaway, lifting the puck over a sprawling Turco.

"I saw it come out in front and had a clear shot," Richards said. "You've got to make the most of those chances. They don't come often."

However, Turco remained steady and made 19 saves for Dallas, which moved within five points of the Anaheim Ducks for first place in the Pacific Division.

"We are playing according to our plans and not deviating from any game plan," Turco said. "Everyone is fitting in real well with one another and you can see the results at the end of the day. Ultimately, that's what counts."

"Those guys (the Lightning) are a pressure team and I thought we did a good job tonight of taking care of business," Dallas coach Dave Tippett said. "We definitely are finding ways to win games and win when it counts. Those are good signs."

Holmqvist stopped 26 shots for the Lightning, who slipped to 17-5-1 in their last 23 contests.

"That is probably one of the most mobile teams that we've seen all year," Tampa Bay coach John Tortorella said. "They are quick. We just didn't get the puck enough. ... We are even fortunate to get a point and that's how we have to look at it. We'll take the point."