By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
PITTSBURGH — Lightning center Nate Thompson said there's more desperation than thinking involved with blocking a shot, and "you'll block it with any part of your body."
Coach Guy Boucher says Thompson, 26, takes that mentality to another level.
"He'll stop the puck with his teeth if he has to," Boucher quipped. "We called him 'Textbook' all year long because if you ask (him) something, you'll get exactly that and more. I think his willingness to pay the price is second to none. The guys who are looking at him play, either from the bench or when we look at video, it's clear that he's an inspiration in this type of game."
Thompson's all-in attitude in buying into Boucher's system and representing how the organization wants its players to play earned the grinding forward the nickname "Nate Boucher."
It's also the reason the Lightning signed Thompson to a two-year, $1.8 million extension in January.
And, make no mistake, Tampa Bay wouldn't have made it to Wednesday's Game 7 had it not been for the play of role players like Thompson, whose skills on the penalty kill and grit in tough areas of the ice pack more punch than points.
"He's a guy that goes unnoticed a lot from the media standpoint and attention-wise, but he does all the little things right," center Steven Stamkos said. "In a series, you need those guys; he's a big faceoff guy, he's willing to block shots, he's unbelievable on the penalty kill. He gets momentum on your side, he chips the puck in and goes and gets it."
Thompson can score, too — he had 10 goals and 15 assists this season, as well as a goal in Game 2 against Pittsburgh. But for forwards like Thompson, Dominic Moore, Adam Hall and Sean Bergenheim, they take pride in a lot more. Besides helping tasked with stopping the other team's top lines, Thompson entered Wednesday second on the team with 21 hits in the series.
"I wanted to have a solid all-around game," Thompson said. I don't dictate my play on points or goals, it's just doing the little things. If the points and goals come, it's a bonus. Every guy has to play their role. That's my role."
Joe Smith can be reached at joesmith@sptimes.com.