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Sorry for the delay in posting, had an issue with my hotel key as it wasn’t working when I came back up from speaking to John Tortorella this afternoon, I went down and got it exchanged then went for some take-out lunch and came back, and the card still wasn’t working..... ugh. Didn’t realize I had such a magnetic personality that it erased the strip on the key card 
Any way, Andre Roy was sent home this morning after his incident during Thursday’s game at Philadelphia when he had to be restrained by a linesman then physically pulled to the bench and sat down by Tortorella.
Allegedly, Roy was incensed by the fact the Flyers in-house staff kept replaying Roy’s second fight with Riley Cote on the jumbo screen overhead. And with each replay of the incident, Roy became more aggrevated as the Flyers bench kept laughing at Cote’s quick left jab that sent Roy to the ice.
While no kind of suspension appears to be imminent from the league for a possible throat-slashing gesture Roy made in the direction of the Flyers’ bench, he is being suspended by the team for at least two games. Here is a statement from general manager Jay Feaster.
“After last night’s game, I felt it would be best for the team and for Andre if he went back to Tampa and we separated him from the team for the next few days. I will meet with Andre on Monday and we will determine any subsequent course of action at that time.’’
Although team officials would not comment on the numerous replays of Roy being dropped, which is a violation of league rules, you can bet the issue has been discussed with the league.
With Roy out, Karl Stewart was recalled from Norfolk and will be in the lineup tonight against New Jersey. Also, Karri Ramo will be in net after Mike Smith got the start in five consecutive games. Tortorella also stated the defensive pairings from the end of the game last night will likely start together tonight. That means Paul Ranger will likely work with Alex Picard, Dan Boyle with Shane O’Brien and Doug Janik with Mike Lundin. Ranger and Boyle were on the ice for both of the first period goals against last night on a couple of bad plays by each of them, a trend the past few games.
FIRST INTERMISSION
In recent days Paul Ranger’s name has been brought up as being part of the core of the team now, along with Dan Boyle, Vinny Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis. Ranger’s play, however, indicates to me that he is not yet ready to accept any of that responsibility. On New Jersey’s goal, he not only lost the puck to Brian Gionta, he froze allowing Patrik Elias to blow by him to take a pass from Gionta and break in on a 2-on-1. Elias saucered a pass the Zach Parise that he swatted past Karri Ramo.
Mistakes are going to happen during the course of a game. Hockey is a game of mistakes and coaches, players, fans, media all have to live with them. But the problem lately has been that Ranger is making too many of them. When he came up from Springfield two seasons ago, the knock on Ranger was that he tended to lose focus and had yet to show an ability to be prepared for every shift. To me, that’s sort of what has been going on with him lately as he just looks paralyzed and doesn’t know how to react when something goes wrong.
SECOND INTERMISSION
Boy, does this game just stink of typical New Jersey hockey? There are 29 combined shots in the game and neither team has reached double-digits in shots in a period yet. I’m not saying it’s boring because I haven’t yawned once (and that’s even without a cup of coffee today), but it is a little slow.
And break-up Michel Ouellet. All of a sudden the guy is scoring (I say this and the replay showed that Jeff Halpern may have deflected the puck, but we’ll have to wait and see). Ouellet now has 12 goals on the season and five in the past seven games. See my post from Thursday’s game for some thoughts on Ouellet.
Now, here we go again. On the road. Tied after two periods. A close game. Which way are they going to go? Is this going to be another one of those games in which Tampa Bay crumbles under the pressure late? Or will they finally do something right and get a postive result out of this game? And keep in mind, we are on Steve Stamkos watch here as the Lightning are currently tied in points with Los Angeles for the fewest points in the league, although Tampa Bay has a pair of games in had on the Kings.
And keep this stat in mind as we enter the final period - Tampa Bay is 6-9-1 this season when tied going into the third period; New Jersey is 7-3-4.
THIRD INTERMISSION (SORT OF)
Wow, that was quite an ending that nearly spelled another disastrous moment when Brian Giota’s shot hit off the glove of Ramo and trickled wide with about 27 seconds left in the third period of a tied game. This came just after Tampa Bay nearly had a chance to win it but Jeff Halpern’s pass to an open Marty St. Louis at the far post was blocked.
Tampa Bay earned this point tonight.
Posted by TampaFan, Tampa on 03/08 at 01:19 PM
My comment on when is Boyle going to start earning his $6mil was supposed to be sarcastic, Atlanta dude. For someone who just received a great big pay raise, his plays has sunk to a new level!!! His penalties and mistakes costs this team more than his $6 mil will! Danny, I know you are laughing all the way to the bank, but step up a little a play defense or go somewhere and play offense!
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 03/08 at 12:30 PM
I tend to agree that sending the one player who is playing with emotion and intensity home shows that Torts wants a team full of lady boys who want to win the Lady Byng trophy all the time.
Posted by Mark Helotie, Tampa on 03/08 at 11:13 AM
How many goals are we going to let PAUL RANGER score on the Lightning ??!?
Ranger had a part in BOTH of the Devils goals last night…
The puck skipped off Ranger’s stick during a Devil-to-Devil pass that led to the first goal.
The OT goal went IN the net directly off of Ranger’s right skate.
Look at the replay from behind the net. I watched it on our DVR multiple times.
Simply pathetic for a D.
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 03/08 at 05:31 AM
Maybe Torts should have Halpern’s line start the game and have Vinny’s line drop down to fill a checking role, so they can have some remedial intensity training. If Vinny is in mourning because his bosom buddy was traded, he should GROW UP. As a professional player, making a lot of money, he is paid to play hockey, not to pout like a spoiled brat.
This team has proven that they have the ability to play for the division championship. With the bar raised - by them - the present level of “play” is unacceptable.
Posted by Billy Charlebois, Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan on 03/08 at 02:41 AM
Once again, Tortorella’s “my way or the highway” coaching philosophy comes into play. Playing with that much intensity on a team that’s last in the conference standings and 29th out of 30 in the league should be rewarded. If you’re going to send somebody home, send Lacavalier and the Smurf...they’ve done nothing but go through the motions since the trade deadline.
Posted by Robert Logan, Tampa on 03/07 at 09:39 PM
I’m glad Torts finally figured out that Ranger and Boyle needed to be seperated. He’s the last guy in North America to see that.
It doesn’t say much about our organization that it’s two best defencemen aren’t very good at playing defence.
Posted by Austin Fraga, Tampa on 03/07 at 07:46 PM
Sent him home!?! Roy should have been rewarded with more ice time! We more guys with the skill, grit and passion that Roy has. The sooner sissies like Andreas Karlsson and Mathieu Darche start playing like true 3rd liners, the sooner we’ll get a few wins. There’s a reason we call the 3rd line the CHECKING LINE! PUT A BODY ON SOMEONE! And Vinny… I know you’re sad that you lost your buddy, but you think you could step your game up? 2 points and a -7 plus/minus in the last 6 games isn’t exactly anchoring that 1st line…
Posted by Chris Wright, Jensen Beach on 03/07 at 07:44 PM
Can’t defend Andre but that’s the reason the home staff can’t belittle the players, there tiny little video screen can’t compare so maybe there’s a little jumbo envy in Philly?
Seriously perhaps the mighty 22/54 combo should be sent home for a time out. Keep fighting the good fight Mike we really aren’t this bad, just trying to get back to the good old days of 50 plus loses. Seem to remember we went 4 or 5 seasons for some kind of record before Torts came to town. Most either can’t or don’t want to remember life before Torts came in. Like his style or not he brought us up to the mountain top from the depths and we will never forget.
Posted by Mike, Tampa on 03/07 at 06:38 PM
Wait a minute. Someone finally shows some emotion on this team, and that is a bad thing? Seriously, Torts needs to get over the grudge that he has against Andre Roy, it is childish at best. There are alot more pressing issues with this team then Andre Roy getting pissed off. He didnt even take a penalty in that situation. Now you run the risk of everyone being afraid to get pissed off for fear they will get sent home. What a joke. Another example of why Torterella and Feaster both need to go.
Posted by GSHBOLT22, Atlanta,Ga on 03/07 at 06:33 PM
In answer to your question Tampa Fan.. Boyle starts earning the 6 million plus next season.
Posted by Mike Joyce, Bangkok, Thailand on 03/07 at 04:46 PM
Erik, you didn’t mention Boyle’s hand in allowing the last Flyer goal. Boyle and have cost us the last two games with some very sloppy play, considering that they are the highest paid players on the team, and the “supposed” leaders. With leadership like that, we don’t need enemies. Smith can stand on his head and spin wooden nickles, but when the “team leaders” don’t care and play like they don’t care, there is no goalie good enough to single handedly beat the opponents, not even the famed Georges Vezina, or even Ken Dryden.
Every day, Boyle proves me right on his ability.
Posted by BW Galle, Tampa on 03/07 at 04:43 PM
Roy looked like a first class punk for going down with a non-sucker punch. It was like watching the the Bolts season in slow-mo!
Ranger and Boyle have to be the worst D combination in the league the last two weeks!
Posted by James Thomas, Seminole, FL on 03/07 at 04:42 PM
Can’t wait to play Philthy in Tampa...maybe our video crew will continually show replays of our last 15 games with them...and then post the Bolts 12-3 record in these games at the end of each replay.
Posted by James Thomas, Seminole, FL on 03/07 at 04:42 PM
Can’t wait to play Philthy in Tampa...maybe our video crew will continually show replays of our last 15 games with them...and then post the Bolts 12-3 record in these games at the end of each replay.
Posted by TampaFan, Tampa on 03/07 at 03:51 PM
Andre - temper, temper—time to grow up and let things slide off your back a little more. Someone please tell me when Boyle is going to start earning his 6.75m/year????
Posted by matt, odessa on 03/07 at 03:24 PM
After that tantrum Roy threw last night, I think it’s pretty clear he needs a time-out. So he went down with one punch.(He clearly won the first fight) Big deal, it’s not the first time and it isn’t going to be the last time. He is a professional, not a teenager pissed because the other kids were laughing at him. How many times does Tortorella have to act like your baby-sitter, when he has 20 other guys to worry about. This is supposed to be a “TEAM” sport, not a 3 round boxing match on skates.
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Posted by Goalman, Sarasota on 03/09 at 01:31 PM
The Appocolypse is upon us. Along with my renewal form for next season’s tickets, I received a form for ordering playoff seats for this year. Are they sleeping at the Lightning office?
By the way, the incentives for early renewal suck. The most effective incentive would be an ownership statement that the cap on spending is going to be the league limit and we will be in the hunt for free agents.