The Bolts
The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce announced on Wednesday that Friday, June 1st will be Tampa Bay Lightning Appreciation Day. A day to recognize the organization that did so much to help grow the feeling of community in Tampa. [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
“The team shared its successes this season with the Tampa Bay community with watch parties and home games that drew thousands of fans to support the team,” the statement said.
Bay area Chambers of Commerce wanted to thank the @TBLightning for the success they shared with the community this season by declaring June 1st as #lightning appreciation day. https://t.co/op9gceFFLJ @KelseyTBBJ pic.twitter.com/6iSBCxHYzt
— Tampa Bay Business Journal (@TBBJnewsroom) May 30, 2018
According to a report from Elliotte Friedman, Lightning assistant coach Rick Bowness has “will not be returning to the TB bench.” It is unclear whether he quit, was fired, or had his contract expire, but it sounds like we will know more in the coming days.
A bit of late-night coaching news: there is word Rick Bowness will not be returning to the TB bench. Bowness was a finalist for the ANA job in 2016 — and no doubt there will be interest.
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 31, 2018
It’s summer time, so let’s play some Armchair GM! What do you think will happen to the organization this summer? [Raw Charge]
Coburn has slowed down. While still solid enough defensively, he doesn’t generate offense. He has trouble at times with getting the puck into transition to put the Lightning on the attack. While his shots against metrics looked good throughout the year, his overall possession numbers weren’t great because of the lack of offense.
From The Athletic, will this be the summer Tyler Johnson gets traded? We’ve shipped him off in our heads every year since he signed his first big contract. [The Athletic]
On one hand, it’s hard to believe Yzerman signed Johnson to a long-term deal with the thought of trading him 12 months later. Johnson is still a valuable player, a 21-goal scorer and a proven playoff performer — though he had just one goal in the final 15 games this postseason. He showed he’s more than capable — and, just as important, willing — to move to wing, where he played alongside Brayden Point and Palat for the first part of the playoffs.
The Prospects
The Syracuse Crunch will be holding an equipment sale on June 5th in the basement of War Memorial Arena. It’s a chance to get some really high-quality stuff at a bargain price. [Syracuse]
The Crunch will have new and used equipment, including, but not limited to skates, sticks, gloves, helmets and pads. The team will also have remaining game-used jerseys available for purchase along with items from the 2017-18 campaign and previous seasons, such as bobbleheads, trading cards and others.
Our Head Equipment Manager Colten Wilson will be in attendance to answer questions on all equipment.
Equipment will be sold on a first come, first serve basis.
— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) May 30, 2018
Lightning prospect Matthew Spencer shared some thoughts in his public exit interview with the Adirondack Thunder. Give it a listen.
“I’ve always considered [physicality] playoff hockey, everything gets ramped up a bit.”
Matthew Spencer on his first professional season, the adjustment from juniors and becoming a more physical player during the Kelly Cup Playoffs. https://t.co/yZpBFVdTXB
— Adirondack Thunder (@ECHLThunder) May 30, 2018
The Game
Brooks Orpik scored the game-winning goal for the Washington Capitals in their 3-2 victory on the road against the Vegas Golden Knights. It was Orpik’s first goal since 2016. [Russian Machine Never Breaks]
BROOKS
ORPIK
FINALLY
SCORED
THIS
SEASON
AND
HE
DID
IT
IN
THE
STANLEY
CUP
FINAL
WTF pic.twitter.com/xxi1Q3iEqH— Ian Oland (@ianoland) May 31, 2018
Not to be out-done, Orpik helped Braden Holtby make the Save of the Year when he missed his assignment and allowed Alex Tuch to have this chance. I’m kidding, I don’t remember if Orpik was on the ice at the time, he’s just bad defensively, and I wanted to take a shot. [ESPN]
YOU KIDDING ME, BRADEN HOLTBY?! 😱 #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/z89E7QnwUw
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) May 31, 2018
Please check out this compilation of Alex Ovechkin reactions put together by our friends at RMNB. It’s gold.
Ovechkin saw some shit today pic.twitter.com/ROYM5WAPI8
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) May 31, 2018
The Toronto Marlies are heading to the Calder Cup Finals, the last time they were there, we — in our Norfolk Admirals incarnation — beat them to win the Championship. Relive the hilarity that was the championship-winning goal in this reflection by PPP. [Pension Plan Puppets]
Follow the puck. It travels back over the blue-line out of the Marlies zone. At that time there are a few stragglers on the Admirals who have yet to tag up and skate back out as required. Kostka blasts the puck back into the Marlies zone towards the corner, likely so his team can make a line change. On the way to the corner, instead of going along the curves of the boards the puck deflects off a stanchion holding in place the glass and suddenly changes direction 90 degrees. Then it trickles into the net.
Highlight of the Night: James Neal punching himself in the face.
Brooks Orpik gets a minor penalty for James Neal punching himself in the face pic.twitter.com/XwkX96XADm
— Ian Oland (@ianoland) May 31, 2018
