Photo by Alexis Boucher

This might be the lockout talking, but Saturday’s game at the Tampa Bay Times Forum was an insanely good time. It helps that the proceeds went benefited the Gold Shield Foundation and the majority of the players are active members of the Bay area police and fire departments.

The event started at 3 pm with a gear sale and the Lightning alumni/personalities signing autographs for the fans. We’ve seen Stan Neckar, Chris Dingman, and Dave Andreychuk involved with the team for quite some time. It was a pleasant surprise to see the return of defenseman Jassen Cullimore. The charm of the Tampa Bay area is definitely apparent in how many Bolts return here when their playing days are done.

» Continue reading “Bolts’ Battle Of The Badges An Absolute Blast”

Photo by Linda Hamilton

It’s official. Hockey will be played at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. By the Lightning… sort of. The Bolts will be hosting “Battle of the Badges”, a charity game to benefit the Gold Shield Foundation on Saturday November 17th.  The main event will see the Tampa police and fire departments face off with some special guests on each squad.

Several Lightning alumni and personalities will be skating with each side. Team Police will feature team founder and hockey legend Phil Esposito, Dave Andreychuk, Chris Dingman, assistant coach Martin Raymond, video coach Nigel Kirwan and assistant equipment manager Clay Roffer.

Team Fire is bolstered by Stanley Cup team alumni Jassen Cullimore and Stan Neckar.  Joining them will be assistant coach Dan Lacroix, head athletic trainer Tom Mulligan and assistant equipment manager Rob Kennedy.

“It is an unbelievable honor to share the ice again with these heroes from our local police and fire departments,” Dave Andreychuk said.“We have done a number of charity games with them in the past and I can speak for myself, as well as the rest of the alumni, when I say we’re all looking forward to doing it again for another great cause.” (Quote Source Tampa Bay Lightning)

The Official Lightning site has more info on the schedule and it looks to be a great time for a great cause. See you there!

Andre Roy Photo by Linda Hamilton

It’s not often you find touching stories during a work stoppage. Warm fuzzy feelings aren’t exactly running rampant in the hockey world right now. While flipping channels last night, I happened upon a Sun Sports broadcast of a Lightning vs. San Jose Sharks game from November 15th, 2002. It was a memorable game which saw Dave Andreychuk score his record setting 250th power play goal.

My blood boiled a bit as I watched the action unfold. We shouldn’t be watching decade old games. There should be brand new, never before seen hockey on our tvs and in our arenas. We should be watching Steven Stamkos lighting the lamp all over North America, damn it.

» Continue reading “Let’s Do The Time Warp Again: Lightning Hockey Memories”

Chris Dingman Photo by Linda Hamilton

- Newer hockey fans may know former Bolt Chris Dingman for his work in the media than on the ice. A staple of the Sun Sports television broadcast, he shared some of his favorite hockey memories with The Hockey News.

Dinger played for Calgary, Colorado, and Carolina before landing in Tampa. The two time Stanley Cup Champion known for his tough play shared some great stuff. Ever wonder how he got the nickname “Dish” or the funniest hockey person he came across? Wonder no more.

» Continue reading “Nuts & Bolts: Dingman’s Hockey Memories, Lightning Essentials”

Photo by Linda Hamilton

In what has become a tradition, I hosted my second Lightning Cup-iversary party at my apartment yesterday. Correspondent Jason Haas was visiting, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to reminisce about the insanely awesome time that was the 2004 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

We all sat around the television, watching a DVD of all of the fights from that season. As the games progressed to the playoffs, the footage got more expansive. There were all of the playoff goals, including the one by Andre Roy against the New York Islanders that kicked off the post season. There was Vinny’s between the legs goal against Montreal. There was Chris Dingman’s goal in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. That was the game I camped in front of the arena in order to get a ticket.

» Continue reading “The Lasting Legacy Of Tampa’s Cup-iversary”