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Tag: <span>Steven</span>

Tag: Steven

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.

Solar Bears hit Newfoundland, RawCharge’s Matt Esteves and UCF Hockey Goes National!

Listen to “Solar Bears hit Newfoundland, RawCharge's Matt Esteves and UCF Hockey Goes National!” on Spreaker.

(1:08) Solar Bears play-by-play man Jesse Liebman joins us in studio for an extended talk about the teams’ trip to Newfoundland this past weekend and a recap of their games in Canada. We’ll also talk about the team’s game against Florida on Wednesday 3/13, and the physicality that came with the match. Plus, weeks ago we talked to Solar Bears Defenseman Cody Donaghey, who told us about the Newfoundland tradition called “Screeching”. Did Jesse get Screeched in?! Listen to his story about this most interesting Eastern Canadian Tradition!

(26:43) Matt Esteves of Raw Charge joins the show to talk about the Lightning and their recent schedule of games, including the instances in the loss to Minnesota last week at home. Steven Stamkos doesn’t like the Playoff structure in the NHL, but Bryan disagrees. Hear the discussion about that, and the importance of the Lightning upcoming schedule, including 3 games against the defending Stanley Cup Champions.

(42:36) We’ll talk about Geno Malkin’s 1000’th point, Ovi’s 1200’th point…and where Sidney Crosby fits into the equation between those 2 players. Plus, the UCF Knights Club Hockey Team has made it to the National ACHA DIII Tournament in Texas – we talk to Assistant Coach Anthony Mariani about the team, their early season hurdles and the outlook for Florida Collegiate Hockey! Then, we make the mistake of letting Floor Nick bring up his stats, including why “the Lightning ain’t that fire”.

Episode 14 – OSB F Tayler Thompson, Lightning Rumors and Senior Sidney!

 

Listen to “Episode 14 – OSB F Tayler Thompson, Lightning Rumors and Senior Sidney!” on Spreaker.(0:35) Fresh off his OT Winner for the Solar Bears this past weekend in Atlanta, Tayler Thompson joins from the bus to recap the recent games for the Bears, and the growing chemistry within the team! While Tayler is enjoying his 2nd season with the Solar Bears, we’ll find out what made him want to return to Orlando for this season, and some insight on his career before the ECHL. Thompson also talks about the awkward play earlier this season that resulted in his injury, and the injury suffered by Linesman Charlie O’Connor.

(18:11) Steven Stamkos is the Captain of the Tampa Bay Lightning, and last night in the teams’ first game back from a 10 game break, he did the most Captain thing he could! The road gets tougher for the Bolts in February with an intense schedule, but the current rumors are the hot topic with a name Bryan threw out a few weeks ago possibly coming to the Bay! We’ll also recap the All Star Game weekend for the 3 Lightning players visiting San Jose.

(26:52) Sidney Crosby was the NHL All Star Game MVP, and at this stage in his career, can you still hate him? We’ll mention some players, like Crosby, who have become the “old guard” in the NHL and their place in the league. We’ll recap the All Star Game Weekend as a whole, including the Skills competition results, even though Bryan is kind of over some of the events. And of course, ‘tis the season…for Trade activity and rumors!

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?

The Tampa Bay Lightning – the thunder…still…rolls

What’s there to say about the Tampa Bay Lightning? They’re big and strong, have won 7 in a row…and oh…they’re getting their All-Star Goaltender back. Bryan and Bacon discuss what’s next for the team and what the effect of Andrei Vasilevskiy returning has. Louie Domingue was the NHL’s 2nd star of the week and there is NO discussion about the New York Rangers visit to Tampa recently.