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Tag: <span>Nikita</span>

Tag: Nikita

Thunderstruck…In A Bad Way

Isn’t it kind of appropriate, for an area that’s used to the weather patterns we are, that we get a really intense and potentially dangerous storm that attacks with fierce precision, multiple threats, and no sign of slowing down…

…and before long…

…it just…fizzles out.

That’s pretty much exactly what happened to the 2018-19 Tampa Bay Lightning.

Record setting point and win totals. Personal accolades. Team dominance. Not only did they clinch a playoff spot in incredible time, but they clinched the PRESIDENT’S TROPHY, the award that goes to the top point getting team in the league for the Regular Season, before ANY OTHER TEAM in the Eastern Conference clinched a playoff spot.

Now, if you’re new to Hockey, understand, it’s widely known that the Presidents Trophy is the kiss-of-death of all kisses-of-death in the sport. You don’t win the Season and then cake walk to the Cup. There is no cake walk to the Cup. There is a reason it’s said that the Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy in sports to win, and it keeps being proven right.

When the Lightning sprinted out to a 3-0 lead after the first period in Game 1, it couldn’t have felt more obvious that the Bolts would simply handle the Columbus Blue Jackets. But what came was the proverbial egg on the face of the Lightning. Underwhelming efforts from their stars, which included most importantly, the offensive crown jewel of the team, Nikita Kucherov, who’s Art Ross effort (Most Points in a season) is just not that impressive anymore, clearly showing his emotions at the end of Game 2, with frustrated actions that led to his suspension for Game 3. This is not the Kuch we watched all season.

And then…Steven Stamkos. The #1 Overall Pick the Bolts inherited in the 2008 Entry Draft. Stamkos, the Captain of the team, started the season off slow but rebounded to collect 98 points for his team this year. He’s been productive in past Playoff campaigns, namely the 18 points (7g, 11a) in the Cup Final run in 2015, and the 16 points (7g, 9a) in last years Playoffs. But there is a disturbing stat that can only be exposed when things go wrong:

Of course, to be fair, Stammer scored a goal on Tuesday Night, but…you see where I’m going with this?

However, the problem, for me, wasn’t the offensive production, the defensive meltdowns, the special teams failures…all of which WERE problems. The problem is the reaction to these events. Post-game press conferences tell EVERYTHING you need to know, and in this day and age, we can all watch them. This team was not angry. Intense. Pissed. Motivated. Annoyed.

We got the “we know we can do better, so we need to do better next game and do better” comments. The kind of comments that New York Ranger fans (like myself, at a time) came to be annoyed by from the likes of Ryan Callahan and Ryan McDonagh. Where’s the vinegar. Where’s the Salt. Where’s the emotion it takes to win the Stanley Cup. The Grit. The Heart.

Looking forward to next season, we can be sure the Lightning still have the framework to have a season like they had this year. Stars to score and produce at will. A strong defense centered around Victor Hedman, and yes, even Ryan McDonagh. Andrei Vasilevskiy isn’t expected to get worse with age, so things can hold steady there. Jon Cooper is getting up there in years with one team, statistically speaking, but signed an extension.

But you’ll have time this summer, Lightning fans…to figure out where the grit and heart come from next season.

You’ll just have more time to think about it than ANY of us planned.

Baier’s Back, The Spark of the Bolts and the NHLPA Awards.

Listen to “Baier’s Back, The Spark of the Bolts and the NHLPA Awards.” on Spreaker.

(1:13) Solar Bears Assistant Coach and former Solar Bear Eric Baier joins us to talk about the recent set of games against the Idaho Steelheads, including their game at RDV Sportsplex Ice Den. Also, we talk about the raw talent of Solar Bears F Mathieu Foget and Akim Aliu’s opportunities with the Tuscon Roadrunners in the AHL.

(16:57) Short and sweet: we talk at length about the moment that started the building of the Tampa Bay Lightning’s 2018-19 President Trophy winning season’s Roster.

(34:16) In the NHLPA Players Survey, Brad Marchand is both loved and hated by his fellow NHL brethren – in the same category. With the season wrapping up, we’ll talk about the Playoff Magic Numbers and possible playoff scenarios. Bryan also continues his relentless assault on the Carolina Hurricanes and their post game choreography.

Episode 17 – Jesse Liebman from the Solar Bears, the Bolts Confidence and TRADE DEADLINE!!!

Listen to “Episode 17 – Jesse Liebman from the Solar Bears, the Bolts Confidence and TRADE DEADLINE!!!” on Spreaker.

(:38) Solar Bears broadcaster Jesse Liebman joins the show to talk about the recent success of the team and the impact Akim Aliu has had! Also, we talk about Mike Monfredo taking a greater role on forward and give an outlook at the possibilities for the Solar Bears in the Kelly Cup Playoffs.

(13:03) John Cooper is one lucky guy. He is currently coaching the handcrafted roster that leads the league by many! We’ll discuss the keys to the Bolts remaining season and whether or not the Lightning need to make a trade to set up the stretch. Also, Floor Nick will show you what its like to be a fan of any other team in the league facing the Bolts.

(28:06) TRADE DEADLINE!!! TRADE DEADLINE!!! TRADE DEADLINE!!! John Tavares’ legacy among his teammates is in the crossfire, and the Carolina Hurricanes celebrations. But, again, TRADE DEADLINE!!! TRADE DEADLINE!!! TRADE DEADLINE!!!

Episode 16 – Cody Donaghey of the Solar Bears, Bolts Defense and Valentines Day!

Listen to “Episode 16 – Cody Donaghey of the Solar Bears, Bolts Defense and Valentines Day!” on Spreaker.

(:57) Solar Bears Defenseman Cody Donaghey joins to talk about the teams recent success, and setbacks, in the last few weeks of the season! Cody also talks about his days in Juniors, including playing for Patrick Roy in Quebec, and what it’s like to be reunited with a teammate from those days, Olivier Archambault. Plus, as a native Newfoundlander, Donaghey explains what exactly “screeching” is to those not from Eastern Canada!

(18:35) Nikita Kucherov had 4 points in the Lightning’s recent game against Calgary, so the question remains, how many points CAN Kuch accumulate before the seasons end? The year 2017 was so important to the Bolts and their current roster, but 2 moves in particular helped sure up the defense corps the Lightning take the ice with every night. With the trade deadline approaching, we’ll discuss the options the Lightning could have.

(31:55) Evgeni Malkin was suspended for only 1 game on his careless stick swinging towards Michael Raffl. Floor Nick is livid and says its not enough, Bryan agrees, but not as intensely. Kevin Boyle got his first NHL start and shutout last night, his cousin and friend of the show, Chris Boyle of the Daytona News-Journal, joins to talk about his cousin’s rise to success! Well talk trade deadline and wrap up the show…by professing our love…for our favorite players.

Episode 11 – Solar Bears Forward Trevor Olson, The Lightning Train, and the awful Rangers!

3:16 – Orlando Solar Bears Forward Trevor Olson joins Hockey Now, after their 5-2 loss to Norfolk. Olson shares his thoughts on the Solar Bears recent schedule and the impact that AHL Call-Ups has had on their team. Also, Trevor tells Bryan and Bacon about his Amateur Hockey experience, including his National Championship won with North Dakota, and some of the NHL-caliber teammates he’s had in his career!

21:04 – This week’s Lightning segment starts with a clip from Bolts defensemen Ryan McDonagh explaining how the teams one loss to San Jose last weekend inspired the team to bounce back with a dominating effort vs. Columbus. Nikita Kucherov achieves yet another milestone in this years season, and we discuss what the Lightning could do to improve. Spoiler alert: they’re already very damn good!

32:10 – Bryan’s patience and understanding with the New York Rangers has finally come to a head. What is the key problem with the Rangers this year, and can the team move along from fan favorites with ease? The NHL Trade Deadline is quickly approaching, and targets are finally being named! Who are the players with most value coming up to the deadline, and which teams will be in the market for upgrades. Also, some quick hit headlines around the league.

Episode 10 – Coach Berehowsky, The Tampa Bay All Stars, and The Outdoor NHL!

Head Coach Drake Berehowsky talks about his Orlando Solar Bears in the new year and recaps the season to date. Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov were named to the Atlantic Division All Star Team for the upcoming NHL All Star activities in San Jose and Kuch is the NHL’s 1st Star for the Month of December. The NHL announced the outdoor games for next season, as well as the All-Star Rosters for this year’s game, but one Superstar opts not to go!

The Tampa Bay Lightning – 10 Points Clear and 2 All Stars!

Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov were named to the Atlantic Division All Star Team for the upcoming NHL All Star activities in San Jose, but who else from the team could have been named?! Bryan and Bacon discuss the players who were snubbed, and cover Kuch being named the NHL’s 1st Star for the Month of December. Is there something negative to be pointed out in the Lightning at this time?

B – (4 and) O – L – T – S!

The Tampa Bay Lightning are enjoying a 4-0 record since our last show, and it seems Bryan may have found the key to the Lightning success this season so far! The Bolts are in the drivers seat through the first part of the season, but as the year is set to turn soon, the Playoffs grow closer, and the team has to be ready for a major benchmark…the Trade Deadline. Bryan and Bacon discuss what the team could plan to do in late February.

Tampa Bay Lightning and the dog days of…winter?

The Bolts have 2 scorers in the Top 10 in the NHL points stats, and Bacon called it! Braydon Point and Nikita Kucherov lead the way for the Lightning, who are ready to face the super-hot Buffalo Sabres after dropping a home have to Anaheim that seemed like more of a nuisance than an issue to be worried about. Also, the Bolts play goalie shuffle with their supporting cast while they await the return of Andrei Vasilevskiy.