Erik Erlendsson covers the Tampa Bay Lightning for The Tampa Tribune.
@ErlendssonTrib
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Posted Jan 4, 2009 by Erik Erlendsson
Updated Jan 4, 2009 at 06:40 PM
I was sitting here, late in the period thinking that I hadn’t been seeing much happen. Kind of a boring period, to be honest, as I checked in over at the score in the football game that’s going on. Then Vinny Lecavalier finds Marty St. Louis for an easy redirect as St. Louis cut to the net with his stick down - hockey 101 folks, hockey 101.
The penalty kill looked pretty good on its one opportunity. And Mike Smith has been at his top level to this point with a couple of tremendous in-close stops.
As far as the ice time in that period goes, the MVP line received the same number of shifts - six - but played over six minutes, due in part to some extended time on the power play.
One little stat I noticed just looking at the sheet, Tampa Bay has only four blocked shots and only 10 hits. Those are two areas in which the tezm has been solid at of late. And in fact, they have outhit their opponent in six consecutive games, but are being outhit 14-10 in this game.
And did I mention that Yao Ming is really, really tall? He had to duck his head down while he was standing in the elevator today.
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Reader Comments
Por (Bolt Fan) on January 04, 2009 (Suggest removal)
So far, so good. Let’s hope that they don’t take a break in the third.
Go Bolts.
Suggest removalPor (Cookie) on January 04, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Great win before the pilgrimage out West. EE, don’t get carried away with Yao Ming. Hate to lose you to basketball coverage!!!
Suggest removalPor (Thunderstruck) on January 04, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Note to EE: Basketball sucks.
Hockey rules.
Hockey has tall players too, and they’re tougher…and generally speaking, they’re much better human beings.
Suggest removalPor (Tim) on January 04, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Does anyone know where the lightning usually stay when their in atlanta?
Suggest removalPor (Bill) on January 04, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Remember EE, what other sport has a player take 64 stiches and comes right back to play….......not basketball!
Suggest removalPor (BillSmith) on January 05, 2009 (Suggest removal)
Less hits, more wins? We’ll take that stat. Team appears to be taking baby steps towards better, consistant play. Lets hope the trip out West brings wins and no more injuries. Keep it going guys.
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