Photo by Alexis Boucher

Prior to the match up with the Ottawa Senators the Lightning honored Vinny Lecavalier for reaching his 1,000 game milestone.  It’s kind of a big deal. Many of us remember when a lanky 18 year old Vinny was drafted first overall back in 1998. He’s been a constant on the team for so long it’s hard to think of Tampa Bay’s hockey club and not think of #4.

The evening began with a pregame ceremony to honor the captain. I can’t lie. The video montage made things get a tad dusty. In case you missed it:

» Continue reading “Celebrating VL4′s 1K”

Steven Stamkos & Marty St. Louis Photo by Linda Hamilton

September 15th is a few short days away without any formal negotiations for the NHL and NHLPA in sight. If no new CBA is in place, Gary Bettman has said the players will be locked out and the season will be delayed. It’s understandable that some NHLers are looking for contingency plans with both sides seemingly still miles apart.

Various European hockey leagues saw an influx of NHL talent during the 2004-2005 season lost during the last lockout. Vinny Lecavalier and Brad Ricards suited up for Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL. Dan Boyle headed to Djurgårdens IF, then a part of the Swedish Elitserien. Marty St. Louis played for HC Lausanne in Switzerland and Pavel Kubina for HC Vítkovice in the Czech Republic.

If you think it’s tough keeping up when your team is on a West Coast road trip, try when they’re on the other side of the world. Unfortunately it’s looking like many of us are going to have to renew our relationship with Google Translate.

» Continue reading “St. Louis & Stamkos Look Abroad With Lockout Looming”

Do or do not. There is no try.

A long time ago in an arena by the bay… two hockey bloggers found themselves sitting at home on a Friday night. Dinner had been consumed, pajamas were on,  and the only thing left to do was to find a movie on television. Enter “Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope” and “The Empire Strikes Back”.

As the movies progressed, Jason Haas and I did the only thing we could to make the evening complete. We cast Lightning players past and present in George Lucas’ space epic.  The original trilogy only, of course. We’re not complete heathens.

Who’s who in our Lightning/Star Wars crossover? Read on…

» Continue reading “Bolt Wars: Who’s Scruffy-Looking?”