What to make of this

by John Fontana on Mar 16, 2006 5:28 PM EST in Lightning Team News

Sean Burke is out indefinitely with a broken finger.

With 16 games left, ladies and gentlemen, the reeling Lightning have suffered another blow that puts not only John Grahame in the spotlight, but also the season resting on his pads.

Grahame has been inconsistent this season and there is no hiding it. He's hit valley's so low that the US Geological Survey had ranked him further below sea level than Death Valley, California. And his peaks? His peaks have rivaled the Himalayas in both height and grandness.

But the problem is there has been no plateau of steadiness for Grahame. One night, he will be All-World and the next -- All-ECHL-Benchwarmer. This has been the crux of the season for the Lightning: if you aren't steady in net, you're not steady as a team.

Grahame's got 16 games to prove he can be steady. 16 games in the limelight where he can prove he has come into his own and give a new lease on life to the Lightning's Stanley Cup defense dreams. On the flip side, he has 16 games where he can further put an exclamation point on lack-of foresight and movement by Jay Feaster before the trade deadline to secure another netminder.

If you believe in Grahame, now is your time to expect him to shine. If you don't - now is your time to pray.

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Maybe this is what Grahame needs, no looking over his shoulder if things don’t go right. It’s put up or shut up time and I really want to believe it’s put up time for him!!!

by Hellbentformetal on Mar 17, 2006 3:09 PM EST reply actions

Absolutely, though the Lightning have not said he is the guaranteed starter now (Gerald Coleman was called up from Springfield)… As of yesterday, John was thrust into a make-or-break position. He either steps up or he’s likely done as a Bolt. Jay Feaster believes in him but if John can’t get the Bolts into the playoffs – it will likely spell his end.

by John F. on Mar 17, 2006 3:20 PM EST reply actions

John Grahame has definitely been inconsistent this season. I like to describe him as being “hot and cold.” When he’s on, he’s on , but when he’s not…oh my…
Let’s hope he can pull this off for the Bolts.

by Liz on Mar 20, 2006 5:12 AM EST reply actions