My poor Tampa Bay Lightning

[gxc999 7]

Another job of terrible officiating tonight. In the last minute, Halpern was tackled in front of the Pittsburgh net and yet no penalty was called. Boyle was furious after Malkin scored the EN goal with 5 seconds left, he broke his blade clean off the post. That might sound like nothing, but Boyle tends to be fairly reserved.

[TBLfan 25]

The refs weren't calling anything. The big missed call was the "offsides" call as the puck is CLEARLY being passed ALONG the line.

Vinny is playing like crap and he didnt even show up after the missed breakaway. He just looked frustrated and didnt look like he wanted to play.

[camhockey16 5]

Another job of terrible officiating tonight. In the last minute, Halpern was tackled in front of the Pittsburgh net and yet no penalty was called. Boyle was furious after Malkin scored the EN goal with 5 seconds left, he broke his blade clean off the post. That might sound like nothing, but Boyle tends to be fairly reserved.

i thought tampa was upset because they were arguing it was a hand pass from talbot to malkin before he scored his goal. they were showing the replay though and both of them were in the defensive zone (just barely). I wasn't watching the game that closely otherwise so i can't comment on the reffing.

[TBLfan 25]

They were missing calls both ways. The calls that were called were pretty stupid.

It was ridiculous with faceoffs though. Halpern(faceoff specialist) got thrown out of at LEAST 5 faceoffs. Some where he didnt even get his blade down before the Pens center came into the circle.

[DEATHTRON 19]

In Dallas it seemed Halpern got tossed 50% of the time...get used to it, be glad he wins a large portion that hes in.

Zach

[gxc999 7]

Vinny just posted a hat trick and we won, coincidence? I think not (sarcasm)...

But seriously, Halpern had another tremendous game, I'm actually really impressed by him. I think that our nucleus looks very, very good for the future. Lundin, O'Brien and Ranger on defense, Smith and Ramo in goal, lots of future talent. The only spot that concerns me is forward, sure we have two superstars and a few decent guys, Ouellet, Halpern, Tarnasky etc, but we need some young talent there. And oh yeah, fire Torts already.

[TBLfan 25]

Vinny's parents were in attendance, coincidence Vinny showed up after 2 months off?

Ramo didn't look too good, he'd didnt play bad by any means but his mechanics looked off. Honestly, I think he's been working with Reese and Smith trying to sharpen his game and it might be focusing on the wrong things taking away from his mechanics. I still like the kid, he has the chance of being pretty darn good.

[Fletch 219]

I hope you guys keep (start) winning some games! I want Stamkos in LA, dammit! :)

[gxc999 7]

I hope you guys keep (start) winning some games! I want Stamkos in LA, dammit! :)

Hahaha, we have! After another win tonight, it's beginning to look like we have some sort of defensive system in place. BTW, Smith just barely missed the empty net and Ouellet (who's been awesome the past 3 weeks) tipped it home. BTW, Avery took a high stick to the face early on, I had to smile...

[gxc999 7]

Agh, stupid #$% Tortorella. Ramo gave up 5 goals in 13 third period minutes thus blowing a 4-1 lead, but Torts couldn't figure out how to replace the goalie or call a timeout. Is he really begging to get fired or is it me? This guy is dead to rights, FIRE Tortorella. He doesn't even look like he cares most of the time anymore, the team won't play for him and the "system" we have in place is a joke.

[TBLfan 25]

He already used the timeout in the first.

He's a retard. If they dont fire him before next season, I will not being going to and might not even watch games. I dont know why I bother watching them now.

[gxc999 7]

Apparently, Lecavalier's left wrist is in worse shape than he's lead on. It may require off-season surgery, according to TSN.ca. This would explain a lot relating to Vinny's inconsistent campaign, why was he so good up until about 6 weeks ago? I thought it had more to do with Richy's departure, but apparently not.

[DEATHTRON 19]

That is unfortunate to hear, Smith is also injured as well.

Halpern has been on fire since he got there, what have yall done to him?

Zach

[TBLfan 25]

let him play. doesnt hurt that Ouellet has been the luckiest shooter on the team, I swear ever SOG goes in. Their puck possession is great though.

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Dear Tampa,

Please lay an egg tonight.

Sincerely

Allsmoke!!!

[Allsmokenopancake 0]

Anyone think Dan Boyle is jinxed by the caps?

Sept 22nd - Tampa/Washington - Washington win 2-1- Boyle slices his arm with skate

March 27th - Tampa/Washinton - Washington win in OT. The reason Fleischmann is open... Seconds earlier, boyle gets a 6 inch cut on the neck from either laich or flash's skate.

I would demand a trade to the western conference immediately.

I'm glad it wasn't more serious. Apparently the skate hit his pads somewhere first, so deflected away from an artery. If it had been a zednik type incident, with the scramble that goes with an OT win, it could have been horrible.

Halpern (a favorite of mine as a cap) was arguably the best player on the ice last night. And that with a bad back.

[15yearsofhistory 0]

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - John Tortorella has been named head coach of the 2008 U.S. Men’s National Team it was announced today by USA Hockey. The current head coach of the National Hockey League’s Tampa Bay Lightning, Tortorella will lead Team USA in the 2008 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship May 2-18 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Quebec City, Quebec, Canada.

“We’re certainly pleased to have someone with John Tortorella’s credentials coaching our world championship team,” said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations at USA Hockey. “He’s had a lot of success in his career, including winning the Stanley Cup, and knows what it takes to win at the highest level.”

Tortorella was chosen by USA Hockey’s National Team Advisory Group, which is led by Johannson and consists of National Hockey League general managers Brian Burke (Anaheim Ducks), David Poile (Nashville Predators), Ray Shero (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Don Waddell (Atlanta Thrashers).

Tortorella’s only other coaching stint with the U.S. program came when he served as associate coach of the 2005 U.S. Men’s National team that played in the IIHF World Championship in Innsbruck and Vienna, Austria.

“I’m honored to be selected,” said Tortorella, who earlier this season became the all-time winningest American-born coach in NHL history. “It truly is an honor to represent our country and I look forward to the opportunity.”

Tortorella is in his seventh full season as head coach of the Lightning after leading the team to four consecutive Stanley Cup Playoff appearances, its first Eastern Conference and Stanley Cup Championship and two Southeast Division Championships. Voted winner of the 2003-04 Jack Adams Award as the National Hockey League’s top coach after guiding the Lightning to the Stanley Cup, Tortorella’s championship team established franchise records with 46 wins and 106 points before embarking on the successful playoff campaign.

A 17-year National Hockey League coaching veteran, Tortorella became the fourth head coach in team history when he was named to that position on January 6, 2001. The Boston native joined the Lightning organization when he was hired as an associate coach prior to the 2000-01 season.

Tortorella began his playing career at Salem State College before transferring to the University of Maine. He spent three seasons with the Black Bears and was twice named an Eastern College Athletic Conference all star. After playing in Sweden, Tortorella played in the Atlantic Coast Hockey League with Virginia, Hampton Roads and Erie. He spent two seasons as the general manager and head coach of the Virginia Lancers (Atlantic Coast Hockey League) from 1986-87 to 1987-88, where he garnered Coach of the Year honors during both campaigns while leading his ‘86-87 team to the league championship.

Tortorella was hired as an assistant coach with the New Haven Nighthawks of the American Hockey League for the 1988-89 campaign. He became an assistant coach with the Buffalo Sabres the following season, and remained with the Sabres organization through the 1996-97 season. The Sabres named him the head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans, prior to the 1995-96 season. His Rochester team won the Calder Cup in 1996 and followed that up with the best record in the AHL’s Northern Conference during the 1996-97 regular season.

Tortorella returned to the NHL in 1997 as an assistant with the Phoenix Coyotes, where he spent two seasons before joining the Rangers for 1999-2000. He served as the Rangers' interim head coach for the final four games of the '99-00 season before joining the Lightning staff.

Tortorella and his wife, Chris, reside in Valrico, Fla., with their two children, Brittany and Dominick.

NOTES: Tortorella is the winningest coach in Tampa Bay Lightning history and also the winningest American-born coach in NHL history … The players for the 2008 U.S. Men’s National Team as well as additional staff members will be named in the coming weeks … Team USA will conduct a training camp from April 24-30 in Portland, Maine, including a pre-tournament game against Sweden on Sunday, April 27, at 7 p.m. (EDT) at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Tickets for that game can be acquired by visiting www.theciviccenter.com.

http://lightning.nhl.com/team/app/?service...rticleid=358391

I'm predicting a major FAIL here...

[TBLfan 25]

Too bad they didn't look at anything other than numbers and maybe hfboards for their decision. If they had half a mind they wouldnt let Tort wash the team's jock, let alone coach.

[gxc999 7]

Too bad they didn't look at anything other than numbers and maybe hfboards for their decision. If they had half a mind they wouldnt let Tort wash the team's jock, let alone coach.

I disagree, he is qualified to wash Jocks <_< but that's about it.

[TBLfan 25]

I dont know, might be creepy considering his "wife" is named "Chris." The kids must be adopted.

[killthepoodle 0]

GO KINGS!!!!!!!

I want better lottery percentage at this point.

[LkptTiger 1]

I dont know, might be creepy considering his "wife" is named "Chris." The kids must be adopted.

You know there's a problem when you're hitting you own coach with chirps like that.

[ean 0]

Enjoy Stamkos you SOBs.

[gxc999 7]

There's a lottery that will take place to determine who gets first, if my understanding is correct... We could probably use another center now that Richie is gone, but then again, Halpern looked great once he hit the ice for us. What I most want us to draft is a NEW COACH.

[JR Boucicaut 3760]

According to HNIC Satellite Hotstove, Torts' job is safe.