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Quick Strikes: JT Brown “loved the Lightning fan base”

Tampa Bay Times writer Nick Kelly caught up with Brown before the Bolts’ meeting with the Wild last night.

The Headline

Last night’s match against the Minnesota Wild brought the Tampa Bay Lightning into JT Brown’s new hockey territory. Picked up on waivers by Anaheim last year, Brown signed with the Wild over the summer, bringing his hockey career full circle -- back to where he played incredibly successful NCAA hockey with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. After six seasons with the Lightning and Syracuse Crunch, Brown spoke to Tampa Bay Times’ Nick Kelly about the bittersweetness of seeing the team again. [Tampa Bay Times]

What are you taking away most from your time in Tampa as a hockey player?

”A lot of it comes from the culture that was around Tampa and the guys that were in the room. You take everything from the coaching staff on down, it was a good situation. We had a lot of good runs there. You’ve just got to try and use as much of that as possible. Obviously, I’m older and have a little more experience now.”

As an aside, best of luck to friend of Raw Charge Lexi LaFleur Brown as she faces her 8th month of pregnancy with their baby boy, named Booker after Booker T. Washington. We miss you, Lexi & JT!

The Bolts

Last night the team gave up their three-goal lead after a productive first period, but squeaked out a road point after Anton Stralman sent the game to a 4-4 overtime. Alan gave us the breakdown of the game. [Raw Charge]

At some point during the third period, Anton Stralman blocked a shot with his neck area, but was able to get back to the bench. This apparently helped spawn his offense, so perhaps he’ll have to be hit in the neck every game. (Just kidding, no please.)

Nice words from the Minnesota Wild Athletic writer Michael Russo and Wild coach Bruce Boudreau about our boy Brayden Point:

Yesterday Geo dug into why Tyler Johnson looks like his old self: Tyler Johnson looking like a Triplet once again. [Raw Charge]

He said at the beginning of this year, last year I went to the heavy weights a lot. I think I was too bulky. But during the year, it’s really hard to change that. So, you have to wait ‘til the offseason. Change your diet a little bit. Certainly change the way you work out. He said he did a lot more stretching. And I think things like yoga and things like that. As compared to as many heavy weights as he’d done before. He said I just literally feel looser and able to move more quickly. It shows.

And new Tampa Bay Times beat writer Diana Nearhos talks about how this is her dream job. [Tampa Bay Times]

I love hockey and telling stories. You guys love the Lightning. So this seems like a good match.

I want to give readers an inside look at the team, not just what it’s doing on the ice but who it is off the ice, too. Together we can get to know some of the people around the team we don’t see much of, as well as the ones you already love. I’ll bring you guys with me as I explore other NHL cities.

The Prospects

After Friday’s excellent showing against the Binghamton Senators, the Syracuse Crunch fell yesterday by a score of 4-3 to the Utica Comets. [UTICAOD.com]

After the Utica Comets had some extended offensive pressure in the second period, rookie Lukas Jasek broke into the zone and sent a centering feed to an unchecked Sifers, who deposited the puck in the top corner past Connor Ingram for the eventual game-winner to help secure a 4-3 victory over the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday at War Memorial Arena.

The Game

Imagine redrawing the league into TEN DIVISIONS? Especially THESE? No thanks. There’s gotta be a better idea out there than this.

Winnipeg could Ice another team: Kootenay’s WHL squad may be on move. [Winnipeg Free Press]

Owners of the WHL’s Kootenay Ice are believed to be considering a plan to move their franchise to Winnipeg in time for the start of the 2019-20 season, sources have told the Free Press.

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