Lightning vs Devils 1-8-10 and 1-10-10

[gphockey]

Lightning at Devils
Prudential Center, Newark, N.J.
TV/radio: Sun Sports; 620-AM

Key stats:
Tampa Bay has lost 10 straight to the Devils (0-4-6), eight by one goal. … New Jersey, No. 1 in the East, has won nine of 10 at home, including six straight.
G Martin Brodeur leads the league with 27 victories and entered Thursday tied for the lead with five shutouts. …
The Devils are 11-3-0 against the Southeast.

Talk about snakebit. We need to win bad not only against this club to to stay on pace with that 8th playoff spot.

[Sotnos]

Tampa Bay has lost 10 straight to the Devils (0-4-6), eight by one goal. … New Jersey, No. 1 in the East, has won nine of 10 at home, including six straight.Sounds promising! :doh:

Gametime is 7:00, btw

[Flycoon]

Sounds promising! :doh:

Gametime is 7:00, btw

I hope this is not a HD game. That insures that I will miss it.

[chad]

Meszaros a healthy scratch. (per EE)


Yikes.

[DavidOaks]

He has been unconscious recently - rolling up shutouts - this will be an exceptional challenge

[Sotnos]

Meszaros a healthy scratch. (per EE)


Yikes.
Wow. Hope he gets the message!

[timothy]

Meszaros a healthy scratch. (per EE)

Wow. After Tanguay and Halpern, Tocchet continues to show he doesn't care the size of your contract.

I guess this means Walker's back in.

[the_narrow_way]

Good to see Mez have a turn serving popcorn. As I said in another thread, Mez has been invisible lately.

[CTLightning26]

Good to see Mez have a turn serving popcorn. As I said in another thread, Mez has been invisible lately.

He deserves it, definitely..

I have always had a soft spot for Mez and I haven't come close to giving up on him. But a game or two watching from above could help...

It's also good that they can get Walker back in as well...

[chad]

So sick of the Devils. You get down by 2 and the game is over. Just shut the tv off and go do something else when that happens.

[spork]

I think the Orlando Titans (pro indoor lacrosse) game is on BSHN 47 at 7:30. :-)

[missK]

Interesting stat from the Devils/Lightning Game Preview email:

Puck Drop -- Fans coming to the game should keep in mind the last five of seven matchups between the Devils and the Lighting have either gone to overtime or a shootout -- so plan accordingly.

GO LIGHTNING!

[Avery86]

So sick of the Devils. You get down by 2 and the game is over. Just shut the tv off and go do something else when that happens.

Or don't turn it on in the first place and go have a nice dinner somewhere.

That could just be me, though.

[CTLightning26]

BC-BU at Fenway on NHL Network...Good game to go to during the breaks folks.


AND IT'S SNOWING!!!!!!!!

[Hoek]

OMG Bochenski scores! Wacky bounce but he pounced on it. 2-0!

LOL @ Chief constantly confusing his Martys..

[Hoek]

SCORE! Stamkos! Snuck it past the D to Marty who sets him up for a slam dunk. 3-0!

[jason_haas]

:thewave:

[Hoek]

Oh gee how convenient the Devils have lighting issues after we seize all momentum. :p

[CTLightning26]

Oh gee how convenient the Devils have lighting issues after we seize all momentum. :p

Maybe it's not so bad...Malone in the locker room... might have been cut.

also, after the third goal, running around a bit....and Veilleux made one of the dumbest plays I've seen having a chance to get the puck out, but going backward..

[Sotnos]

Oh gee how convenient the Devils have lighting issues after we seize all momentum. :p
That was my thought. :p

[jason_haas]

I guess we caused a ... power? surge? Muahahaha

[Sotnos]

So they're going to do this and THEN take a regular intermission also?!

[timothy]

And now... a Paul Kennedy piece... uggh.

[CTLightning26]

Bu 2, bc 0

[John F]

Hi guys, taking a break from the RC open thread to check in here. How goes?

[CTLightning26]

It's the Night that the Lights Went out in Jersey....Sing with me...:D

[John F]

Devils fans on Inlouwetrust.com are talking about how the game should be called. For it to count, 30 minutes have to be played (which they have) or 2 periods.

[Sotnos]

Devils fans on Inlouwetrust.com are talking about how the game should be called. For it to count, 30 minutes have to be played (which they have) or 2 periods.
Works for me! :D They seem to think the lights are going to work in another 10 minutes, we'll see.

[John F]

EE just tweeted: Delay has reached 35 minutes, now being told should only be 8-10 more minutes for lights to return, followed by short warmup period

[John F]

Devils fans on Inlouwetrust.com are talking about how the game should be called. For it to count, 30 minutes have to be played (which they have) or 2 periods.

BTW - this was a guess. I don't knwo the official rules.

[Sotnos]

This is a little ridiculous with the team having to play tomorrow.

[Hoek]

LOL just realized we're getting outshot 20-7..

[pete]

I remember an OHL game Paul Ranger played in where they played 35 minutes and the lights blew out and I think they came back at a later date and played the final 25 of it. Chad probably remembers better.

I'm pretty happy that the offense pinned 3 goals on Miller and has 3 already on Brodeur in about half a game. The shot totals suck so far, but for all that was said about the goalies we're facing on this trip, we're scoring. Of course, we couldn't have kept a troop of Girl Scouts away from the front of our net against Buffalo.

[John F]

They will be playing the remainder of the 2nd and then have a full intermission. UGH.

[aapbolt]

the bolts are playing well so far and seem to have gotten the Devils out of their game a bit. Go bolts and keep playin hard and smart hockey. Tim: how good is Omark? I have watched Cogliano and he is the real deal but don't know much about omark. i can see trading Mez but wonder about the D, and agree that we are one injury away from hale/Kraj which scares me. How are lashoff and Wishart/Mihalik doing? what about ranger? any news on that front?

[Sotnos]

They will be playing the remainder of the 2nd and then have a full intermission. UGH.
I missed that. That's absurd.

I seriously got home like 3 minutes before the lights went out, haven't seen ANY of this game. :(

[John F]

I missed that. That's absurd.

I seriously got home like 3 minutes before the lights went out, haven't seen ANY of this game. :(

A lot of boring hockey and then a shot -- and a score!

Honestly it's been a lto of pucks-along-the-boards for the Bolts, dumping out, or tryign to carry the puck out. The Devils have been charging up the middle fo the ice all night. Smith's been good (but doesn't have my confience with how he is playing) and the D in front of him has been shaky but sound.

[Sotnos]

They had the GMs downstairs talking to the refs, imo they're going to have to call this. Game should be done by now & our guys still have a bus ride ahead of them.

[jason_haas]

After seeing some of the guys on the bench, Ohlund looks like a viking, and Chewy looks like Bilbo Baggins in every way.

[Sotnos]

You all want a Meszaros thread don't you? :P

LOL @ Chief "This is taking so long Malone's probably healed by now!"

[bassassin]

Well this is too late for me, still glad to see we are winning by 3 goals on 7 shots on Brodeur.

[Sotnos]

Moved the Mezsaros stuff so it doesn't get lost: http://boltprospects.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3003

Going to have to take off soon, I have to work tomorrow. Don't see how they can continue this with half the game left to go after a 2 hour delay.

[jason_haas]

Postponed till a later date. I know every point counts, but c'mon...over half of the game was played, just call it.

[Hoek]

That's so utterly pathetic. Move the Devils and their sparsely attended crap rink that can't keep its lights on. Make it Seven!

[Hoek]

LOL Lawton saying he asked New Jersey to forfeit.

[jason_haas]

LOL Lawton saying he asked New Jersey to forfeit.

Lol, but really, it's not that far off...

[CTLightning26]

They better find a fair way...It's unfair to the Lightning if they cram the completion of this game in an inconvenient place..

I mean, Sunday night or Monday might be the fairest, but who knows what's going on at the arena

[CTLightning26]

It's a joke that the NHL doesn;t have a rule for this..

[Sotnos]

Should've given us the win & given the fans their money back. Honestly, WHEN are they going to squeeze another game in, exactly?

At the very least give those folks some money back or some free tickets as a goodwill gesture, they paid for a game & didn't get one.

[jason_haas]

"Lissssssten Lou..."

[pete]

If we need to play the last 25 minutes of this one another time then that's fine with me, as long as the 3-0 lead doesn't get wiped off the books.

Like I said, I recall this happening before in the OHL in the early 90's and that's how it was handled.

[WaiverWire]

What a let down.

[Hoek]

From the HF thread about this..

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s93/vagel117/funny/calvin-2.jpg

[pete]

Maybe demand a delay of game penalty at the start of the resumption. :D

[jason_haas]

I just glanced over both teams' schedules. I have NO idea when they'll get this in unless they have it over the Olympic break.

[WaiverWire]

This game will be like baseball. They will wait till the end of the season and if the 2 points do not effect either team in the standings.........nothing will happen.

[CTLightning26]

If we need to play the last 25 minutes of this one another time then that's fine with me, as long as the 3-0 lead doesn't get wiped off the books.

Like I said, I recall this happening before in the OHL in the early 90's and that's how it was handled.


saw somewhere where Dreger said Bettman said it will start where it ended..

It better.

[Hoek]

This game will be like baseball. They will wait till the end of the season and if the 2 points do not effect either team in the standings.........nothing will happen.

That's kinda annoying though as now we'll always have that extra game in hand in the standings making us look worse than we are.

[pete]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=512949

The game will be restarted at the point where it will be suspended. Good. This is fair.

[WaiverWire]

But what happens if the two teams can not work out a date due to their schedules? Make them play during the Olympics without some of their better players?

But then we would still have our goalie and most of our top guys :D

OK, I just took a look at the two schedules. I do not see how they can make this work without playing during the 2 week break. When we have open dates that work either we are out west on the road, or they are. When we are back east with an open date then the Devils would have to play 3 days in a row or vise verse....a violation of the CBA. About the only other time I can see this game being resumed is April 13, after the regular season ended. But then if the 2 points do not matter in the standings, then why play.

[Coldrice]

Compiled the open dates for both teams for the rest of the month...

TB
Jan. - 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 20th, 22nd, 24th-26th, 28th, 30th

NJ
Jan. - 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 24-25th, 28th, 30th

Looking at who's home, on the road, etc etc. they could plausibly squeeze it back in this Sunday if they really wanted to.

The Devils hit the road to play MTL tomorrow nite and we have the stinkin' Cryer's at Philly.

The Next game for the Devils is Tuesday against the Rags at MSG so basically it's a PATH ride and the "A" to Penn Station... basically their back home. They head out West (PHX) after that game Tuesday.

We finish up tomorrow nite in Philly (Still geographically in the area) and have the Caps at home Tuesday.

I know they played 1 and a 1/2 periods tonite and both have games tomorrow, but they could schedule to resume say 7:30 Sun nite. The more they delay and stretch it out, the more it becomes a logistics issue.

So listen up Bettman and all you yerkins on Avenue of the Americas... MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!

Edit: / P.S. - Just checked and nothing scheduled at all (concerts, basketball, etc.) this Sunday either at "The Rock".

[WaiverWire]

Would that not be playing 3 days in a row, a violation of the CBA?

But then the 24th does work........not, as once again a team would be playing 3 days in a row. NJ has games the 22, 23, 26, 27.


I tried to find this rule about playing 3 days in a row and could not.

But I did run across something that makes me wonder about our possible health care bill. In the CBA it is detailed about injuries to players, costs and hospital stays. Wonder if this type of plan will be effected by the new bill?

[Coldrice]

Not sure if I recall the CBA addressing 3 consecutive games, but I'm sure that there's a travel requirement. Without looking it up, I believe the max cap on travel hours is 2 1/2 or 3 hours, day of.

And they'll, at some point, have to get the PA's input because although it's a unique circumstance, concern would probably be (I'm assuming) that Brodeur would be in net 3 nites in a row. IMO I doubt Brodeur would have a problem with that. Dude's a machine.

But your right WW... the 24th is kinda feasible. The opponents and travel schedules are sort of similar. Only thing kinda different is we're in a home stand that week and instead of trucking back to Newark from Philly, they'll have to head back to Newark from here.

The Prudential Center does have Seton Hall v. Pitt scheduled on the 24th. at 2pm. I would think they could have the rink up and ready by later in the evening right?

The only date that 3 consecutive nites/games isn't an issue for NJ or events at Prudential Center, they'll have to do it on March 31st. But the Lightning play the Pens in Pit. that nite.

Doesn't look like there's an opportunity to avoid the 3 consecutive games issue anywhere. Wonder if this issue pole-vaults itself to the front of the line when negotiations begin for the new CBA :D

[The Great Zo]

Interesting stat from the Devils/Lightning Game Preview email:

Puck Drop -- Fans coming to the game should keep in mind the last five of seven matchups between the Devils and the Lighting have either gone to overtime or a shootout -- so plan accordingly.

GO LIGHTNING!

L-O-L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :doh:

[The Great Zo]

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100109/capt.efc91c61810e44399da7c04c20f6c88b.lightning_de vils_hockey_njbk111.jpg

CAPTION THIS PICTURE!

[CTLightning26]

Honestly, the fairest thing to me would be to play it either Sunday night or like Monday at noon...

I mean, i know they are worried about the fans, but it the Devils fault...Let them deal with their fans...

[Hoek]

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100109/capt.efc91c61810e44399da7c04c20f6c88b.lightning_de vils_hockey_njbk111.jpg

Downie: I know they're just trying to keep the fans entertained during the outage, but Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel?

Stamkos: Dude I love the Chipmunks!

[Top Shelf]

Compiled the open dates for both teams for the rest of the month...

TB
Jan. - 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 20th, 22nd, 24th-26th, 28th, 30th

NJ
Jan. - 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 24-25th, 28th, 30th

Looking at who's home, on the road, etc etc. they could plausibly squeeze it back in this Sunday if they really wanted to.

The Devils hit the road to play MTL tomorrow nite and we have the stinkin' Cryer's at Philly.

The Next game for the Devils is Tuesday against the Rags at MSG so basically it's a PATH ride and the "A" to Penn Station... basically their back home. They head out West (PHX) after that game Tuesday.

We finish up tomorrow nite in Philly (Still geographically in the area) and have the Caps at home Tuesday.

I know they played 1 and a 1/2 periods tonite and both have games tomorrow, but they could schedule to resume say 7:30 Sun nite. The more they delay and stretch it out, the more it becomes a logistics issue.

So listen up Bettman and all you yerkins on Avenue of the Americas... MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!!

Edit: / P.S. - Just checked and nothing scheduled at all (concerts, basketball, etc.) this Sunday either at "The Rock".
It's easy to see now how your rice got cold. :) Man, talk about attention to detail.

My $.02....the sched is not really conducive to rescheduling...fans will not want to pay or drive to show up for half a game (that they're losing 3-0 already)...TV crews either...it's totally unfair to restart a full game, either at 0-0 or 3-0...going up 3-0 on Brodeur IN New Jerseyis so unheard of for us, there is no way to re-create that Lightning advantage at a future point; we were up 3-0 and on pace to win 6-0 on THAT night, with THOSE scorers pumped, with THAT mindset taking place on the NJ side, etc.

There is a fairly easy solution that no one I've noticed has suggested: Any time a delay of this type happens during a game, the visitors get two points. Period. The home team was contracted to provide a playable NHL arena for a full game, and failed to do so: Forfeit. If they were ahead--so solly Cholly, the home team can't just grab a lead and then pull the plug. If they were behind, the home team can't pull the plug in order to escape defeat.

No, I'm not suggesting the crew at the arena in NJ actually pulled the plug on a Tampa Bay Lightning game in early January, just saying this solution removes all concern of that possibility for ALL games, not just late-season or playoff games where the home team might have a big advantage or incentive for creating some sort of diversionary "problem": Oops! Sorry, no time to reschedule, the playoffs start next week! Or, Oops! Sorry, can't lose this series tonight! Do over!

With that said, I also like the solution where the NHL does nothing until the end of the season, then looks at how the points shake out, would those two points for the club that was winning that night make a difference, etc. If we're out of the hunt by over two points, or if adding them doesn't change whom we face in the first round, or if we're already winning the President's Trophy anyway (heheheh) then doing nothing was OK. Otherwise we get awarded the points. In either case the player stats MUST stand; those guys scored those points, and that goalie was in the middle of a shutout, so his GAA and SV% improved

[the_narrow_way]

They should have had the staff go out and buy every clip-light they could find, a bunch of power strips, and some extention cords and sent them up into the rafters. :p

[WaiverWire]

And the power was restored at 11:35.

I would like to know who has to pay the Lightning Expenses to return.

[The Great Zo]

Here's the funny thing -- you get all the players saying "this has never happened to me before," but in my case, it actually has happened to me before!

I was in the middle of a game (final game of the season, actually) on September 14, 2008, when Hurricane Ike's remnants blasted the entire Ohio Valley with 60-75 MPH wind gusts. The power went out just before the game started, but it was restored about 15 minutes later and we got the game going. The power went out for good (shrouding the rink in extreme darkness, far worse than the Newark situation) -- while in the middle of a 2-on-1 rush for my team, no less :D . The entire Cincinnati area was dark for at least 24 hours, up to a week in some places.

[missK]

NHL Network just said maybe on Monday 1/11 but nothing from the league yet. They cannot resume play on Sunday, would be violation of CBA (3 games day in a row = NO NO).

[WaiverWire]

Well here is an odd one......... the New Jersey and Tampa schedules no longer list the game for 01/08/2010. It shows as a non play date. Leads me to think they are going to play Sunday and try to claim that Friday was not a game and thus you do not have the teams playing 3 in a row. Would make sense as Tampa is still in the area and they both would have to travel to get to the game from another NHL city.

[CupChamps2004]

They cannot resume play on Sunday, would be violation of CBA (3 games day in a row = NO NO).

Always heard that but can't find anywhere in CBA. :noidea: Imagine teams, league & NHLPA could agree to waive.

[Flycoon]

But I did run across something that makes me wonder about our possible health care bill. In the CBA it is detailed about injuries to players, costs and hospital stays. Wonder if this type of plan will be effected by the new bill?

If the NHL's medical insurance is anything the NFL's, unlikely. My doctor (and client) has a handful of current and former Bucs as patients and told me their out of pocket expenses for office visits, labs, and usual medical care for the player and family are roughly equivalent to what most with employer based medical coverage. Not a "cadillac plan".

[Flycoon]

http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20100109/capt.efc91c61810e44399da7c04c20f6c88b.lightning_de vils_hockey_njbk111.jpg

Downie: I know they're just trying to keep the fans entertained during the outage, but Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel?

Stamkos: Dude I love the Chipmunks!

Stamkos added: It's freakin' cold in here, eh? Wish I had my snuggie....

[jason_haas]

erlendssontrib

#TBLightning game to be resumed Sunday at 6 p.m. at the point it left off with 9:12 left in 2nd period and TB up 3-0 #NHL

[Donnie D]

Any word on whether we will be able to watch it?

[Coldrice]

erlendssontrib

#TBLightning game to be resumed Sunday at 6 p.m. at the point it left off with 9:12 left in 2nd period and TB up 3-0 #NHL

Now up on NHL.com

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=513022

NEW YORK (January 9, 2010) – National Hockey League Game #655, between the Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., will resume Sunday, Jan. 10, at 6 p.m., ET.

Any word on whether we will be able to watch it?

I'll assume they'll mention it during tonite's broadcast, right?

[WaiverWire]

Any word on whether we will be able to watch it?

EE has an article up on TBO.com that says the game will be aired on 620, but makes no mention of TV.

I am hoping as a last resort that NJ will carry the game and have it on CI.

[The Great Zo]

A few blog entries:

http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2010/01/suspended_nj_devils-tampa_bay.html

http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/remainder_of_game_to_be_played_sunday/

http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/devils_owe_their_fans_an_apology_for_leaving_them_ in_the_dark/

Key points:

1) The Lightning are asking for all expenses to be paid by the Devils.
2) The no-3-in-3 rule was waived because it was not a complete game.
3) MSG will air the game.

[WaiverWire]

I saw #2 coming as soon as I saw that the NHL removed 01/08/10 as a game day for both teams.

NJ should pay for the team to come back. It is not our fault that the game could not be finished.

[Hoek]

Nice.. I'm glad this has been worked out. I am hesistant to admit that the NHL may have eked out a little more respect from me.

[WaiverWire]

Interesting point was brought up in one of those blogs. Do the teams have to use the same players? What happens if say a goalie goes down, can we dress another? Or if we lose two defensemen from that game tonight, can we dress the others?

[The Great Zo]

Officially, I don't know what the case will be.

As an opinion, Tocchet made a comment about how one of the reasons he wanted it resumed soon was to preserve the integrity of the game for that exact reason.

[CTLightning26]

ESPN on its crawl said the game would start in the 3rd period...at 3-0

[Sotnos]

That doesn't make sense, I think they're mistaken.

[Hoek]

Probably mean that extended 3rd period they were going to play if the game had resumed.

[missK]

They said at the beginning of the Flyers game it would be broadcast on SunSports TV.

[WaiverWire]

They said at the beginning of the Flyers game it would be broadcast on SunSports TV.

Thank you missK

[Donnie D]

If Smaby can't come back and they can't replace him, they are going to have to play a 30 minute period with only 5 defensemen.

[Sotnos]

If Smaby can't come back and they can't replace him, they are going to have to play a 30 minute period with only 5 defensemen.
They didn't really get into the details, but imo I don't see how they can force them to use the same lineup if a guy's hurt. I wonder how hurt Smaby is, he really smacked face-first but also hit his shoulder & knee and just fell awkwardly.

Oh, I also just re-stickied this and changed the title instead of starting a new thread. :P

[WaiverWire]

Times says he is out for tonight

[jaydeedub]

TBL Tweeted that Mesz is replacing Smaby tonight.

[jaydeedub]

Anyone with Directv have any idea what channel it's going to be on? Right now my Sun is showing a blacked out Miami Heat game...

[timothy]

Anyone know if it's on CI tonight?

[missK]

Isn't assigned a channel on Center Ice on TV guide. They show the game with no channel.

[Hoek]

Hmm we get the Devils feed on Sun..

[missK]

Yes, MSG feed on Sun.

[Hoek]

Huh they're saying we replaced Smaby and Ohlund..

[missK]

Smaby & Ohlund out, hope it's not serious.

[jaydeedub]

Damn, guess I'm just screwed since I hve Directv and/or live in Jacksonville... I still have the Heat game blacked out on mine!

[Hoek]

Sheesh Devils already picking up where they left off.

Place is even more empty than Friday, though.

[CupChamps2004]

Ohlund has flu. (per Mishkin)

[jaydeedub]

Yeppie!! Heat game over and game on finally!

[jaydeedub]

That power play at the end of the second was dog do-doo. Hopefully the Bolts try to limit the NJ shots here in the 3rd and get somemore themselves... Smitty a period from a shutout... Not to jinx him or anything! :p

[Hoek]

Oh cmon Wright how do you miss that.

[Coldrice]

Nice.... very nice!!! 4-1

[Hoek]

That was one sick spinorama pass by Marty to take the game back.

[Sotnos]

Ohlund has flu. (per Mishkin)Ah thank you, that clears that up.

That was one sick spinorama pass by Marty to take the game back.
That was ridiculous and whoever was supposed to be watching Stamkos should feel much shame. Other than that, they did what they needed to do to hang on and that's about it.

[CTLightning26]

Just Win Baby!!!

4 points back with three in hand on Montreal and Ottawa fading..

I think the top five now will be in, although Boston's injuries aren't helping..

Comes down to Rangers, Ottawa, Phily, Montreal and the Bolts for three spots
I do not think atlanta, florida and the Isles will be there..

But we better pick it up...Im still steamed about the effort Saturday...

[jason_haas]

As many have said, just had to find a way to win and we did. Must say I'm happy that Stammer just buried that shot instead of holding on and trying to fake Danis out...he has too good of a shot to not just let it fly.

[WaiverWire]

that pass by Marty to Stamkos was just flat out sickening! :happydance:

[The Great Zo]

Marty says "suck it, Stevie-Y!"

No problem with the MSG Devils broadcast. One of the best TV crews in the league.

I meant to mention this on the Flyers game thread (where Veilleux was scratched) but frankly, I've actually felt he's been relatively effective in the past 10 games or so. He's not going to score, we know that, but he's had a lot more energy than he showed early in the season.

Not to be too critical, but that final Devils PP and after-PP goal was a pretty big Lightning clusterf$@#. ;)

[Top Shelf]

"No problem with the MSG Devils broadcast. One of the best TV crews in the league."

Emerick is the best, but I must admit the color analyst gave us a couple chuckles. One was when he said the Lightning scoring their 4th goal "saved the game". Dude, we get that it came right after NJ scored (prompting you to predict an imminent "onslaught" from the Devils) but still...not to burst your bubble but it's the 3rd period and we're already up by two, this now makes it three. And I had to laugh out loud when the Devils scored again to make it 4-2, with seconds to play, and the guy says, "There you go, Doc--it's within reach!" This guy's either joking, had one too many Mooseheads and forgotten there's no additional period coming, or so optimistic he could fall off the Empire State Building and be heard through an open window on the way down going, "Whelp....so far, so good!"

I'm gonna go with "joking".

IMHO it's hard to assign blame on that jaw-dropping Goal-of-the-Year-So-Far. Marty St. Louis, still one of the fastest skaters on the planet, started churning the tree trunks in his own zone, so he had a full head of steam up and just flat-out beat his man to that puck like he's supposed to. Then he had the presence of mind to do the stick-lift before wheeling 270 degrees and sending that totally sick, absolutely perfect pass to the slot, flat on the ice and with impossible precision of placement and pace. Stamkos at 19 is already one of the quicker players in the NHL as well, and his one-timer would probably have beaten any goaltender who's ever lived. So I see no cause for shame on the Devils' part. Just a phenomenal series of athletic moves executed by two of the top stars in the world's toughest sport to play, doing what people will pay big dollars to see because they can't fathom doing it themselves--and can hardly believe their eyes even when seeing it done by someone else.

That pass reminded me of the one where Marty chased a puck deep into his own zone against the wall, turned and fired a totally blind, 100-foot cross-ice feed to Vinny at the attacking blue line, hitting him on the tape in stride for another spectacular goal. Watching Marty the word uncanny keeps springing to mind

Get well soon again, Matt Smaby - we need you

[Donnie D]

I did like the line something to the effect that the lightning have held a 3 goal lead for 2 days. Who says we can't hang on to a lead.

[timothy]

I did like the line something to the effect that the lightning have held a 3 goal lead for 2 days. Who says we can't hang on to a lead.

:lol: Funny, considering we've been playing from behind for 3 months.

[SmittyFan1]

Marty says "suck it, Stevie-Y!"

No problem with the MSG Devils broadcast. One of the best TV crews in the league.

I meant to mention this on the Flyers game thread (where Veilleux was scratched) but frankly, I've actually felt he's been relatively effective in the past 10 games or so. He's not going to score, we know that, but he's had a lot more energy than he showed early in the season.

Not to be too critical, but that final Devils PP and after-PP goal was a pretty big Lightning clusterf$@#. ;)

No question, IMO "Doc" Mike Emrick, is the best (and Peckham:D )

[Hoek]

Promo idea for next season?

Houston Dynamo Make Light Of LA With The Help Of Flashlights (http://sports.yahoo.com/soccer/news?slug=goal-houstondynamomakelightoflaw)

Twice the lights at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., went out during the match, twice delaying play for a total of over 40 minutes. Combine the power problems with what some viewed as a dubiously disallowed goal and most could understand if the Dynamo were more than little upset when the Galaxy advanced to the MLS Cup final. After the match, several Dynamo players called the outages "unprofessional" and head coach Dominic Kinnear said the delays affected Houston's momentum.

The power issues were eventually blamed on two significant power dips in Southern California Edison Industrial grid in which the Home Depot Center sits. Dynamo fans at the match made the best of the situation starting "Amigo Energy!" chants as they waited for the power to return. Amigo Energy is a commercial and residential electrical provider in Texas and the jersey sponsor for the Dynamo since August 2007.

Months after the now infamous night in Carson, the 2010 MLS schedule was announced and Dynamo fans immediately pointed to a week three matchup against the Galaxy. It would be an opportunity for the Dynamo to get some revenge and maybe finally wash the bad memories from the previous November away. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the Houston Dynamo front office saw the second home match of the season as a chance to have some fun with unfortunate events from the conference final.

The Dynamo announced the match against the Galaxy would be the "Light Outs L.A. Rematch" with fans in attendance receiving a mini-flashlight, just in case the lights went out.

Brilliant idea. And hey, we're the Lightning and we've got TECO Energy as a sponsor..

:D