Off Topic: Sixth Blogging Anniversary

by John Fontana on Feb 10, 2010 11:23 AM EST

I’m hoping that this site will show that there is support for Southern Hockey, which is routinely put down in various hockey-circles I come across. The Tampa Bay market is the premiere southern US market for Hockey. Yes, we’ve been to hell and back with regards to what the Lightning has gone through over the years – three owners (one of mysterious background, one of football background and currently an arena/sports professional), four 50+ loss seasons in a row, 3 venues (from the barn-like Expo Hall, to the Baseball-stadium-in-waiting Thunderdome, to Ice Palace / St. Pete Times Forum (AKA the Times Palace) ]…

But it’s the trials and tribulations that define fans and how devote an area is to a team.

-- John Fontana, February 10th, 2004

Today marks the sixth anniversary of Tampa Bay Lightning blogs and my sixth anniversary of covering the Lightning on the blogosphere.

I gotta say thanks to SB Nation for bringing me on (James Mirtle and Tyler Bleszinski specifically), and Cassie McClellan for keeping me going or else there wouldn't have been a sixth anniversary. I'd have likely petered out by now and given up.

I know I sure didn't expect where 2004 would take the Lightning (Stanley Cup Champions) or the NHL (subsequent lockout) when I started this, nor did I expect to last this long.

That being said, you keep reading them and I'll keep writing them, 'k?

This post was written by a member of the Raw Charge community and doesn't necessarily express the views or opinions of Raw Charge staff.

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Happy anniversary, John! Congrats!

"...And he's only NINETEEN!!!"

Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community.

by Cassie McClellan on Feb 10, 2010 11:31 AM EST reply actions

ah yeah john, congrats on the 6th anniversary!

"they’re big. they’ve got big man bodies." lovingthelightning.wordpress.com

by Meredith Qualls on Feb 10, 2010 12:45 PM EST reply actions

Happy 6th anniversary John. Thank you for providing a blog that is informative, entertaining and inclusive.

by Sidicus on Feb 10, 2010 1:55 PM EST reply actions

Congrats from Don’t Trade Vinny.

by Shamos on Feb 11, 2010 9:41 AM EST reply actions

congrats John. thats awesome. keep up the exceptional work here at Rawcharge!

by KyleGuthrie4 on Feb 11, 2010 6:55 PM EST reply actions

Thanks everyone

9:12. Lights out. Raw Charge.

by John Fontana on Feb 11, 2010 9:45 PM EST reply actions

A little late to this

but congrats on the anniversary, and I’d also like to tie-in the significance of that date from my perspective as well.

That night, the Lightning played the Maple Leafs at the Forum. I was in attendance for that game. It ultimately ended up a 4-4 tie, though the Leafs were beneficiaries of a blown icing call in the final minute, setting up Gary Roberts for the tying goal.

Wouldn’t really matter, though. Bolts won the Cup.

by FloridaownsFSU on Feb 13, 2010 9:15 AM EST reply actions