Photo: Cut For A Cure

Several members of the Tampa Bay Lightning lost a fair amount of hair this evening at the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Vinny Lecavalier, Teddy Purcell, B.J. Crombeen, Alex Killorn, and Matt Carle formed Team Lightning in the 4th Annual Cut For A Cure charity Challenge.

The event sees people from all over the Bay area raising money to benefit the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The Bolts have also selected the Vincent Lecavalier Foundation as an additional recipient of the funds they raise. Thanks to the wonders of Twitter, we can see what the guys look at after shedding their locks.

Just because the shaving has already taken place doesn’t mean the fundraising has ended. You can still show your support for this extremely worthy cause through May 3rd here. In a very touching gesture, the players are participating in memory of former teammate Dominic Moore’s late wife Katie.

Nate Thompson Photo by Linda Hamilton

This was a game the Lightning needed to win. Scratch that. They’re all games they need to win if they want to even think about bumping into the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Turn overs and mental mistakes were hallmarks of this evening’s game against the Islanders. The Bolts did show some resiliency and tied the game twice, but ended up falling short and losing 4-2.

New York struck first and Richard Panik evened the score about five minutes into the second period. Josh Bailey pushed the Isles ahead again, but Matt Carle tied it yet again. What seemed to seal the deal was the third New York goal. Ben Bishop was screened and didn’t even see the puck until it was already behind him. Right through the five hole. An empty net goal in the final seconds of the game put the kibosh on any hopes of Tampa come back.

» Continue reading “Lightning Falter On Long Island, Lose 4-2 Against Islanders”

Photo by Alexis Boucher

Another game at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, another shootout. Unfortunately things didn’t go in the Bolts’ favor this time. They managed to earn a point, but with the season slipping away that second one is key. Tampa managed to rally from a 2-0 deficit to tie the game, showing a resilience that hasn’t always been present this season.

The score sheet looked a little different this evening. For starters, Steven Stamkos and Marty St. Louis’ names weren’t on it. Tom Pyatt and Alex Killorn scored both of Tampa’s goals. Victor Hedman, Matt Carle, and Teddy Purcell registered the helpers. The Bolts did stage an offensive flurry, getting 41 shots on goal in regulation.

The team looked a little more tempered than in Friday’s victory. Jon Cooper is getting more practice time and that’s only a good thing. With a three game road trip looming , the remainder of this week will likely determine if the Bolts make the post season or have an early summer. They have been resilient, but they need to come ready to play.

Pretty much, Guy.

So. Yeah. Things started off well enough in Newark this evening. The Lightning got off to a stronger start, looked a lot less sluggish, and were putting pucks on net. Unfortunately,  a number of the same issues that have reared their heads over the last few games came with them too. Unable to sustain pressure in the offensive zone and turnovers played a big part on the 4-2 loss to the New Jersey.

Oh and those funny penalty calls in the third period, but we’ll get there soon enough.

» Continue reading “Devil In The Details: Lightning Fall In New Jersey 4-2″

Sami Salo Photo by Alexis Boucher

January 27th was the anniversary of an important day in Tampa Bay Lightning history. It might not be a day discussed in depth over the team’s 20th season celebration, but the impact of this moment can’t be understated. What happened? The Lightning acquired veteran defenseman Darryl Sydor from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Former GM Jay Feaster has said that that trade was the key to Tampa’s championship season.  Fast forward to 2013 and blueliners are making an impression again. This time it’s Sami Salo and Matt Carle.

Defensive woes are noting new for the Bolts. Heck, the 2008-09 season saw 22 blueliners wear a Lightning sweater. Luckily the signings of Salo and Carle combined with the maturation of young players have added some much needed nuance to the D corps. Next time you’re at a game, watch Salo & Carle. They isn’t flashy but the little details are what is so important. A poke check here, skillfully driving an opponent off the puck. He provides a measured, patient approach to the game.

» Continue reading “Lightning Learn The Importance Of Being Defensive”

Steve Yzerman & Vinny Lecavalier Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Lightning Facebook Page

This evening’s game at the Tampa Bay Times Forum began with a great celebration of Vinny Lecavalier’s first 1,000 games in the NHL. Once the team gets some of the videos up, we’ll go into that in more detail. The action on the ice was pretty remarkable as well. After a sloppy second period, the Lightning regrouped and defeated the Ottawa Senators 6-4.  In doing so they handed the Sens their first loss of the season.

Matt Carle opened the scoring on a power play  just 1:09 into the first period, but it didn’t take long for Erik Condra to tie it up. Ottawa pulled away in the second on goals from Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson. Steven Stamkos did what he does best to pull the Bolts within one, only to see Kyle Turris widen the gap yet again. Victor Hedman brought an action packed second period to a close with a goal of his own.

» Continue reading “Spoiler Alert: Bolts End Senators Undefeated Streak”

Photo by Alexis Boucher

The Lightning’s 20th anniversary celebration may have been delayed, but they kicked off the shortened season with style. It took a little while for things to gel, but the team looked extremely solid. Some unexpected sources of offense lead the Bolts to a 6-3 victory over their division rival Washington Capitals.

Eric Brewer opened the scoring for the Lightning in the first period and chipped in another goal on the power play in the third. Marty St. Louis also scored two and it felt so good to hear “Louie Louie” ringing out through the Forum again.

» Continue reading “Lightning Defeat Capitals 6-3 In Season Opener”

Pierre Cedric Labrie Photo by Linda Hamilton

The Tampa Bay Lightning announced their opening night roster well ahead of Friday’s deadline. Here’s how the team is going to look:

Forwards: Vinny Lecavalier, Steven Stamkos, Marty St. Louis, Teddy Purcell, Ryan Malone, Benoit Pouliot, Tom Pyatt, Dana Tyrell, Adam Hall, Nate Thompson, B.J. Crombeen, Cory Conacher and Pierre-Cedric Labrie.

Defensemen: Victor Hedman, Sam Salo, Eric Brewer, Matt Carle, Brian Lee, Marc-Andre Bergeron, Keith Aulie and Brendan Mikkelson.

Goaltenders: Anders Lindback & Mathieu Garon.

So there you have it.That’s how the 2013 Bolts ( Not 2012-13. There was no 2012 involved in this season) will get started. The coaches seemed extremely positive about Conacher, so his addition isn’t exactly a surprise. Labrie on the other hand? Wow. For a while it seemed like Tyler Johnson could make the jump to the main club. Both he and Conacher have been insanely prolific when it comes to scoring. Johnson’s time is definitely coming, but not this Saturday.

The addition of Labrie and Crombeen have the potential to change the landscape of the on ice product if you will. With the exception of Steve Downie, the Lightning have been more about skill and finesse since Yzerman & Boucher came to town. The mantra was reacting to the opponent. Labrie and Crombeen play their game with a healthy amount of grit and physicality. They’ll be expected to play with discipline, but it could make other teams think twice before they take physical advantage of the Bolts.

Yup. Officially getting excited.

Photo by Alexis Boucher

With the NHL’s impending return, the fans are buzzing with excitement of having actual hockey to talk about again. Our players are returning from near and far. Training camps are right around the corner and many squads have already begun informal skating sessions.

While flipping through photos of the Lightning’s skate the other day, an unsettling moment occurred.  There was a player in a Tampa sweater. And I had no idea who the hell he was. Summer signings feel like they were a million years ago, so we can cut ourselves a little slack. We need a refresher course as to who exactly plays for our team now. What better way to do that than with a little game?

Here’s how it works. A series of roster photos will be shown along with multiple choice answers. Pick your answer until you reach the end. The answer key will let you know how you did. Winner gets… the satisfaction of a job well done.

Now it’s time for NAME… THAT… BOLT!

» Continue reading “Name That Bolt!”

Keith Aulie Photo by Linda Hamilton

One of the good things about organizational depth is that it protects a team from taking a big hit if a trade doesn’t pan out. » Continue reading “Interesting Times For Keith Aulie”