Erik Erlendsson covers the Tampa Bay Lightning for The Tampa Tribune.
@ErlendssonTrib
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Posted Dec 30, 2008 by Erik Erlendsson
Updated Dec 30, 2008 at 08:22 PM
You can say this about the Lightning right now, they can be an entertaining team to watch. They are hitting, Artyukhin is fighting and they are skating. And what I’ve really noticed about this team in the last few games is that guys look like they are sticking up for each other and protecting each other, and to me, that’s a good sign. In this game, Matt Pettinger went after one of the Canadiens’ players - didn’t catch who it was - in front of the Tampa Bay net as said Montreal player tried to get to the net for a rebound. That hasn’t always been there this year.
Speaking of Artyukhin, he set the tone again on the first shift, landing a solid hit in the corner. He came back again about 4:30 into the game and laid a solid shoulder-to-shoulder hit to Alex Tanguay that completely knocked one of the glass panels to the ice (amazingly, it didn’t break) and may have knocked Tanguay out of the game. Tanguay went to the bench favoring his left shoulder and then left the ice.
And does anybody this side of Alex Ovechkin truly enjoy scoring goals than Vinny Prospal? I love to see that kind of genuine joy.
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Reader Comments
Por (berlin) on December 30, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Disturbing to see so many montreal fans. Are there really that many here on vacation?
Suggest removalPor (b) on December 30, 2008 (Suggest removal)
shootouts are gay!
Suggest removalPor (Bolt Fan) on December 30, 2008 (Suggest removal)
It’s cheaper, even if they can get tickets, for Montreal fans to fly down and see the game in Tampa than in Montreal. As you know, there are lots of tickets available in Tampa, so the Montrealers get a break from winter, a reasonably priced ticket and watch their favorite team.
We can avoid that by buying tickets, so there is no room for outsiders.
Suggest removalPor (Tampafan) on December 31, 2008 (Suggest removal)
Sorry I missed seeing Vinny P’s joy over his goal. We were in South Florida and the game wasn’t shown down there. The picture that was in the paper didn’t capture it quite like seeing it in person.
Suggest removal