The next time Henrik Zetterberg reaches out for a puck in front of the net, it’d be understandable if he’s a little skittish after taking this massive hit from Mattias Öhlund last night. I mean, there are crushing big hits, and then there’s this one.
Posts Tagged ‘Tampa Bay Lightning
14
Dec
09
This Game Can Be Awfully Cool
If you are a Tampa Bay Lightning fan, Sunday’s game against the Blackhawks was not one of your favorites. However, if you like hockey, or even if you just like to see some incredible things, the two teams combined on 2 amazing plays in the final minutes of the 2nd period and in the 3rd.
First, Marian Hossa shows off his hand-eye coordination when he grabs a loose puck out of the air and drops it towards his stick. Without waiting for it to hit the ice, he knocks it out of the air into the net, making it 4-0 in favor of Chicago.
Then, as the final seconds of the game are counting down Lightning goaltender Antero Niittymaki makes a truly FANTASTIC save; despite being down 4-0 and the game already lost, Niittymaki doesn’t give up and makes the phenomenal play.
Awesome! Cool!
The #1 pick in the NHL draft in 2008, Tampa Bay’s Steve Stamkos has a much more important place in the world; I recently picked him up for my fantasy hockey team where he’s been playing like gangbusters. Case in point, this super sweet goal he scored last night. It’s contributions like this that keep me not just in first place, but absolutely CRUSHING the “competition.”
Phil Kessel made his debut last night for the Toronto Maple Leafs after off-season shoulder surgery and a trade from the Bruins. Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Mattias Ohlund brought the welcome wagon in to greet Kessel in the first period with a devastating hit that ultimately sent Kessel to the dressing room to repair a split lip.
Kessel returned though to register 10 shots on goal, although was held without a point. That shouldn’t last long though for the dynamic goal-scorer, despite the fact the Leafs are flat-out miserable.
As a way of livening up their practice, after the official portion was over the Tampa Bay Lightning played a game of “Naked Breakaway,” which requires the players to shed a piece of clothing or equipment each time they miss on a breakaway. Once you score you no longer need to continue.
Earlier this week, Martin St. Louis found himself without jersey, arm pads, leg pads, leggings and even his skates before he was finally able to convert. His teammates found it quite amusing to watch St. Louis try and score on one skate and then have to ditch that in favor of some sandals from the locker room.
“It was fun to do,” center Vinny Lecavalier said. “The guys had a good time. Guys were laughing together.”
Fortunately no one missed enough times to have to get fully naked, although after Todd Fedoruk missed, one of his teammates suggested to the gap-toothed forward to “take out the rest of your teeth.”
“Yeah, you start getting nervous after you lose a few pieces of clothing,” Lecavalier said.
01
Apr
09
I Got Bruins Fever
Out of all the young Bruins, Milan Lucic is my favorite, he plays like a young Cam Neely and has a mean-streak that I really appreciate. While the NHL governors are considering fighting, I’m glad it’s still part of the game and clearly the crowd is too; look how quickly everyone stands up to get a better view of Lucic giving Josef Melichar of the Tampa Bay Lightning his comeuppance for a high hit.
And via Deadspin comes this hilarious video from AFTER the game of a girl valiantly trying to to make her way back UP the escalator as everyone else tries to get out of the Garden.
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