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Forum: Talk Lightning
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First off, I want to wish everybody a happy new year, but more importantly, a safe new year. We all need some glimmer of hope in these difficult economic times, and hopefully the turning of a new year will provide that.
For the second consecutive year, the Lightning will play a New Year’s Day game, which means it’s another New Year’s Eve on the road. Last year, it was in Toronto where I watched the Times Square ball drop from my hotel room. This year, I hope to be out somewhere in Washington to ring in the New Year (after hopefully watching the U.S. vs. Canada World junior game on the NHL Network somewhere)
As far as the team is concerned, Vinny Lecavalier and Paul Ranger were given the day off on Wednesday to rest. Lightning coach Rick Tocchet said Lecavalier is a little nicked up, but it’s not his shoulder. Neither are expected to miss Thursday’s game against the Capitals.
The team went through a light practice, working on a lot of breakouts and zone-entry plays.
The lines were jumbled a bit again with the combinations running as follows:
Prospal-Craig (for Lecavalier)-St. Louis
Malone-Halpern-Artyukhin
Pettinger-Szczechura-Recchi
Jokinen-Stamkos-Hall
Marek Malik did practice after missing last night’s game with the flu, although he did come off early really sniffling on his way to the locker room.
Mike Smith will get the call again in net against Washington. I asked Tocchet today whether he might consider giving Karri Ramo a game, and he said it’s not really in the plans right now because Smith is playing so well. Not to mention that Smith has established himself as a true No. 1 to this point, and seeing this much action is another test to see how he performs and holds up to this many consecutive starts.
That’s all I have for today. Be sure to check out a pretty cool story I’ll have in the paper after talking to both Ryan Malone and Adam Hall about playing in the outdoor game last year in Buffalo. Hall also played in the Michigan-Michigan State outdoor game a few years back.
Once again, be safe and enjoy ringing in the 2009!!!!
Posted by dale, fl on 01/01 at 10:41 AM
A win in Washington would be a great way to begin the (happy) New Year, Caps are 9-1 in their last 10 so it won’t be easy. Go Bolts
Posted by Bolt Fan, S. Pasadena, FL on 12/31 at 11:46 PM
Happy New Year to all.
I really like the look of the Halpern line in your blog and certainly hope that the Bolts start the year with a nice win on the road.
Go Bolts.
Posted by Chris C, Lakeland on 12/31 at 05:52 PM
Happy New Year, Let’s hope for more wins and have the pucks bounce our way
Posted by Brittany, Orlando on 12/31 at 04:56 PM
EE, happy new year to you and everyone else around here. We really appreciate your having to work on the holidays (instead of spending the time with your family and friends) to keep us up to date with Lightning news.
Let’s hope that the new year will also bring some good fortune to our Bolts.
Posted by Ruthe, St Pete on 12/31 at 02:53 PM
Erik, Happy New Year to you and your family. Hopefully, the Bolts will turn it around starting tomorrow.
Posted by Niki, Riverview on 12/31 at 02:44 PM
Just wanted to wish everyone a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. I’d say ‘prosperous’ as well but I didn’t want to be completely unrealistic! Have a great time, however you’re celebrating.
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Posted by Katya, Tampa on 01/01 at 11:48 AM
Happy new year Erik!