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”

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”

In the face of a large issue like an impending lockout, you wouldn’t think there was anything that could tick off hockey fans more than that. Apparently this isn’t true for some Lightning fans. Damian Cristodero of the Tampa Bay Times wrote a piece that sent some into a tizzy. All over a number.

For the first time since former captain Dave Andreychuk retired after the 2005-2006 season, a Bolts player will have the #25 on their sweater. As the news spread, so did the Twitter outrage. It’s easy to understand why some people are so upset.

That may be why this next statement may be surprising. There is NOTHING wrong with Matt Carle wearing #25 when he takes the ice for Tampa Bay.

» Continue reading “Dave Andreychuk, Matt Carle, & The Number 25″

Yzerman is a Jedi

-There’s really no reason for the photo other than the fact that we had some time on our hands this weekend and Steve Yzerman IS a Jedi.

- He may not be wearing a Lightning sweater, but Dave Andreychuk will be playing in the Alumni Game for the 2013 Winter Classic. Captain Dave played in 200 regular season games for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the early 1990s.  A big honor for him for sure, and really cool to see a former Bolt on that big of a stage.

-GM Steve Yzerman, assistant GM Julien BriseBois, director of player personnel Pat Verbeek and AHL coach Jon Cooper took a trip to visit their new minor league affiliate last week. The Bolts brass took a tour of the Syracuse Crunch facilities and gave their approval.

“I like the people I’ve met and the passion they are putting into what’s going on,” Cooper said. “We’re here to put a stamp on how we’d like things to be. Everybody is bending over backwards for us. It’s going to be a good training ground for our players.” (Quote Source: Syracuse.com)

» Continue reading “Nuts & Bolts: Off Season Moves, Andreychuk In Alumni Game”

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”

Photo by Todd Burg

Yesterday marked eight years since the Tampa Bay Lightning made history, defeating the Calgary Flames 2-1 in Game 7 to win their first ever Stanley Cup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni9ieT7LvzQ

My memories of that day, though somewhat murky, still remain with me to this very day. For myself, as a brand new fan of the sport of hockey, I watched in awe that night and instantly realized the Lightning were meant to be my team to root for. I’m not a fair weather fan though; I can promise you that much!

» Continue reading “Looking Back: The Lightning Win the 2004 Stanley Cup”

The Lightning's Place On The Cup Photo by Linda Hamilton

Eight years ago tonight, the Lightning played Game 7 of the 2004 Stanley Cup finals against the Calgary Flames. 8 years ago tonight, they hoisted the Cup as champions.  It’s hard to explain to non hockey fans how much a 32 pound hunk of silver can mean to a team and its fans, but the impact of the victory continues to resonate even now.

In spite of the lock out robbing the Lightning of a real chance at defending their championship, seasons spent in the cellar of the league, and recent struggles the 2004 team remains a beacon of hope for fans of this team. I know it’s been a huge source of inspiration for me.

To mark the occasion, here’s a little something I wrote on that night 8 years ago:

» Continue reading “Celebrating The Lightning’s 8th Cup-iversary”