Lightning Impressions 2011 (pt 2)
Posted 4:28 PM ET | Comments 0
Quick thoughts on the Lightning, based on last nights game vs NJ (Nov 19, 2011):
-Made it early enough to see the warm up. Players seemed to be in a good mood. Ryan Malone looked like he was happy to be back. Downie tried over and over to hit the “sweet spot” in the netting above the glass to drop it down to fans. Unfortunately, he didn’t get it. Fans seemed to enjoy it.
-I liked the pregame videos. For some reason, the crowd didn’t seem to be as into it as they were for the Pittsburgh game on Thursday. I noticed this in the national anthem, and then throughout the game, until later when the Lightning mounted a bit of comeback attempt.
- The first period was not the best hockey I’ve ever seen, not much action especially for Tampa, which I’m sure lead to everyone believing this was going to be a snoozefest between two trap teams. I can’t stress enough how much I think this is overblown. This isn’t the old Devils of 5 or so years ago, and Tampa has simply got a worse reputation than they deserve. Besides, no team can trap 100% of the time anyway, and speed is the best way to avoid it.
-The second period we saw an improvement, and more chances in both ends. Unfortunately, it was the Devils that put those chances in the back of the net. This made the experts behind me declare that the game was over. I think it was their first hockey game... They figured that a combination of the Lightning players giving up, and the Devils trapping meant it was all over. Again, there are ways to beat the trap, and this isn’t the type of team that just sits back and plays defense, although they aren’t the most offensive team by a long shot. Secondly, the Lightning may be tired, and they may be frustrated, but they don’t give up. Especially St. Louis, I love that guy.
-Reffing was bad, but they weren’t entirely to blame. That said, the Lightning weren’t as bad as people would say either. As with most sports, the local fans seem to get too excited in both a win, and a loss. It’s the players and coaches job to stay more level headed.
- Tampa did that and gave the fans some excitement with a couple beauty goals from St. Louis, and Shannon in the 3rd. They were coming on strong, and playing well but then let in another goal.
- Not sure why they didn’t salute the fans, and not a single player in the 3 stars came out, which was a little disappointing for those who stayed.
-Made it early enough to see the warm up. Players seemed to be in a good mood. Ryan Malone looked like he was happy to be back. Downie tried over and over to hit the “sweet spot” in the netting above the glass to drop it down to fans. Unfortunately, he didn’t get it. Fans seemed to enjoy it.
-I liked the pregame videos. For some reason, the crowd didn’t seem to be as into it as they were for the Pittsburgh game on Thursday. I noticed this in the national anthem, and then throughout the game, until later when the Lightning mounted a bit of comeback attempt.
- The first period was not the best hockey I’ve ever seen, not much action especially for Tampa, which I’m sure lead to everyone believing this was going to be a snoozefest between two trap teams. I can’t stress enough how much I think this is overblown. This isn’t the old Devils of 5 or so years ago, and Tampa has simply got a worse reputation than they deserve. Besides, no team can trap 100% of the time anyway, and speed is the best way to avoid it.
-The second period we saw an improvement, and more chances in both ends. Unfortunately, it was the Devils that put those chances in the back of the net. This made the experts behind me declare that the game was over. I think it was their first hockey game... They figured that a combination of the Lightning players giving up, and the Devils trapping meant it was all over. Again, there are ways to beat the trap, and this isn’t the type of team that just sits back and plays defense, although they aren’t the most offensive team by a long shot. Secondly, the Lightning may be tired, and they may be frustrated, but they don’t give up. Especially St. Louis, I love that guy.
-Reffing was bad, but they weren’t entirely to blame. That said, the Lightning weren’t as bad as people would say either. As with most sports, the local fans seem to get too excited in both a win, and a loss. It’s the players and coaches job to stay more level headed.
- Tampa did that and gave the fans some excitement with a couple beauty goals from St. Louis, and Shannon in the 3rd. They were coming on strong, and playing well but then let in another goal.
- Not sure why they didn’t salute the fans, and not a single player in the 3 stars came out, which was a little disappointing for those who stayed.