The Bolts
- You know what? There were few good World Cup stories about Drouin and MacKinnon to link to. Here’s one at [Mile High Hockey], but honestly their friendship was a bigger story two seasons ago.
- “The Lightning captain opened Wednesday’s practice by re-creating his brilliant final act from Tuesday’s 4-3 shootout win over the Panthers. ‘I told you I work at it,’ Stamkos said, smiling. ‘It’s not all luck.'” [Tampa Bay Times]
- Unlike last season, this season’s 30 Thoughts are not All Stamkos, All the Time. In fact, Tampa Bay gets short shrift, but there was one interesting item. Wonder who Verbeek was watching? [Sportsnet]/
14. Big NHL turnout last weekend for an NCAA back-to-back in Colorado, where Denver swept Boston University. There were five 2016 first-rounders and 17 overall selections. Among the high-profile viewers: Avalanche GM Joe Sakic (short trip), Montreal GM Marc Bergevin (who also took in Dallas-Colorado on Saturday) and Tampa Bay’s Pat Verbeek. Sounds like Anaheim, Buffalo, Islanders, Los Angeles, Nashville and Toronto were among other visitors.
- Marian Hossa reached 500 goals, but he might have done it in a Bolts sweater. [ESPN]/
My favorite what-if in this story is what if Hossa picked Lightning instead of CHI? He said they were 2nd choice: https://t.co/u51mFlnd4Y
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) October 19, 2016
- Is it just me, or has this season already had more ceremonies than the last few combined? There was Vinny’s non-number-retirement, and now there’s the anniversary of the first game at Amalie. Wait, just Amalie? Not the first game at the Florida State Expo Hall on October 7, 1992?/
#TBLightning will celebrate anniversary of first game at Amalie Thurs w ceremonial puck drop. Founder Phil Esposito, Brian Bradley, etc
— Joe Smith (@TBTimes_JSmith) October 19, 2016
- Vinny didn’t need to win our hearts back, but he’s trying anyway./
Yesterday, former @TBLightning Capt. Vincent Lecavalier celebrated a Lightning win, today he celebrated the fight of our patients w/ #cancer pic.twitter.com/InUGmhF7Ak
— AllChildrensHospital (@allchildrens) October 19, 2016
- SOME team had to be first on this list of Eastern Conference analytical season predictions. No pressure or anything. “Tampa Bay is favoured heavily to repeat as conference champions. The Lightning actually have the top Average Rank in the entire NHL because the models disagree about who will finish tops in the Western Conference.” [Sportsnet]/
The Game
- SustORR take note: Bobby Orr became the first truly two-way defenseman. [Collegian]
- Something dear to us at Raw Charge is diversity. This article from The Color of Hockey takes a look at the wide range of people currently in the NHL. Although the numbers are slim, this article focuses on the hopeful side. [The Color of Hockey]
- Speaking of diversity, if you haven’t joined The Ice Garden to follow the fine women’s hockey teams of Canada, the US, and the NCAA, you should! [The Ice Garden]
- Team Canada and Team USA have a fierce rivalry no matter where they meet. This holds especially true for sled/sledge hockey. THW took some time exploring the history of this rivalry. “This year, Team U.S.A. enters the new season with five consecutive international tournament victories under their belt and there’s a big push from Team Canada to bring that streak to a halt.” [THW]
- Remember how vibrant Dylan Larkin was on Team North America? NBC profiled him in a video. Go watch D-Boss reflect upon his break-out season with the Red Wings. [WIIM]
- Don’t mess with this guy: “Fredric Weigel of Sodertalje was upset at missing an opportunity while his side was down 3-0 to Hockeyallsvenskan side IK Oskarshamn midway through the second period and, well, his frustration boiled over and he decided to introduce his stick to the glass inside his team’s bench.” [Puck Daddy]
- I’ll just leave this picture of Erik Karlsson right here./
