The Bolts
Joe Smith wrote Tampa Bay Lightning fans a scary Halloween headline — As Lightning starts with defensive struggles, enter Alex Ovechkin. “We’ll have to play great defensively,” captain Steven Stamkos said. “Obviously ‘Ovi’ is one of the best goal scorers ever, and he’s hot right now.” [Tampa Bay Times]
Our Sled team took 3rd at the Mighty Penguins Invitational this weekend! Way to battle back Bolts & thanks for hosting @penguins! 🏒🏆 pic.twitter.com/ynjXuGR0Hz
— LightningMadeHockey (@LightningMade) October 8, 2017
And here’s some lovely team news: Steven Stamkos, Victor Hedman ready to join Lightning’s charitable legacy. “The platform we have here with this organization and what Mr. Vinik has done makes it very easy and accessible to start something,” Stamkos said. “It’s easy to follow in the footsteps of guys like (Vinny Lecavalier) and (Ryan Callahan). It’s just about finding the right cause and dedicating yourself to that.” [Tampa Bay Times]
What’s your favorite #TBLightning home opener over the years? We’ve picked a top 5 in our 25th anniversary rewind.https://t.co/WY39rI61an
— Bryan Burns (@BBurnsNHL) October 8, 2017
The Prospects
Syracuse Crunch offense could be getting some more help. “Bournival has been sidelined this preseason with an undisclosed ailment. His going on waivers is likely a sign that he’s ready to return.” [Syracuse.com]
Ingram on his first professional start: “It’s one game, but there’s a lot of growing to do still.” pic.twitter.com/4pgbJczQY8
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) October 8, 2017
Crunch come up short in OT loss against Rochester. “The Crunch is a young and inexperienced team that is still searching for cohesiveness with their line pairings as the players simultaneously learn a whole new offensive and defensive system. What does this mean? It means that in the early going of the season the Crunch are going to have to help themselves as much as possible if they want to win hockey games.” [Raw Charge]
The JT Brown section
JT’s own words.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
-Martin Luther King Jr. pic.twitter.com/Ql2vEFwl5E
— Jt brownov (@JTBrown23) October 8, 2017
Here’s the history behind the raised fist: How one fist propelled J.T. Brown to the center of hockey world. “No one is more aware of J.T. Brown’s tenuous position in the league than J.T. Brown. Despite Gary Bettman’s very public stances regarding political protests, Brown decided that not saying anything was not an option, since the pros and cons of being black in the U.S. don’t stop once you step on the ice.” [Raw Charge]
An old school ex-player praises Tampa Bay Lightning’s J.T. Brown for ‘taking a stand’. “I think it’s good that he took a stand,” [Bill] Riley, who became the National Hockey League’s third black player when he skated for the Washington Capitals in 1974-75, told me. “Something had to be done.” [Color of Hockey]
Lightning journal: J.T. Brown raises fist in protest during anthem. “I’ve been able to see both sides, but I still wanted to show my support for the root of the protest, talking about police brutality and inequality,” Brown said. “Those are issues that we need to be talking about.” [Tampa Bay Times]
And this makes me shake my head:
Lightning’s J.T. Brown says he has received death threats after protest. “A day after becoming the first NHL player to protest during the playing of the national anthem, Lightning forward J.T. Brown revealed Sunday via Twitter that he has received death threats.” [Sporting News]
The Game
Noooo Bish!
Ben Bishop tweets picture of cut after getting hit with the puck in his face. MORE: https://t.co/ilV0mvl8Hh pic.twitter.com/RetpUDboZT
— BarDown (@BarDown) October 8, 2017
