Game 3 TV saga takes another turn

Update, 9:06 p.m.
Some parts of the Tampa Bay area will see tonight’s Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final after all. But some will remain shut out.

With the Lightning working feverishly all day Friday to broker a deal between NBC, the NHL and a local carrier, the final result is that tonight’s Ottawa-Anaheim game will be shown on Bright House Network’s Catch 47 and WFLA-Ch. 8’s high definition channel. But those who don’t get Bright House Networks cable or have HDTV will not see the game.

NBC is showing the game nationally, but the local NBC affiliate (WFLA-Ch. 8) could not carry the game because it is showing its annual All Children’s Hospital telethon from 8:30 tonight until 6 p.m. Sunday. Tonight’s Game 3 is scheduled for 8.

Update, 7:02 p.m.
Sinclair Broadcasting, parent company of WTTA-Channel 38, decided Friday night it would not allow the station to carry Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Ottawa Senators and Anaheim Ducks. The Lightning, NHL officials and NBC resumed seeking another outlet.

Original post
Game 3 of the Stanley Cup final will be shown on television in Tampa Bay after all.

The Lightning brokered a deal Friday afternoon to have the game be shown on WTTA-Channel 38. The game is being broadcast by NBC, but WFLA-Channel 8, the local NBC affiliate, could not carry the game because it is carrying its annual All Children's Hospital telethon.

It's believed the Lightning is spending $20,000 to buy up all the local advertising time so that Ch. 38 would agree to show the game. Channel 38 is channel 6 on Bright House Networks cable systems and channel 14 on Verizon.

"Obviously, we think hockey is spectacular and the Stanley Cup final is hockey at its very best,'' Lightning president Ron Campbell, the key player in the deal, said. "We have no hard feelings toward Channel 8 because we know they have their important obligations. We're just glad that we could find a home for this game so that people in Tampa Bay can watch the game.''

-- Tom Jones

Comments

[Paul]

My how the NHL has fallen.

[Morris]

No, my how WFLA sucks and Media General sucks.

I mean, I understand the fact that the telethon is almost an institution locally -- always broadcast on WFLA. But guess what? WFLA has viewers who WATCH HOCKEY and want hockey broadcast. If they want to support their viewers -- they find an alternate station to carry the game and the Lightning don't get involved.

WFLA -- a Media General Property -- is just like The Tampa Tribune: Downsizing, reducing coverage and caring only for the bottom line.

Hats off to the Lightning and Ron Campbell or keeping Hockeybay USA tuned in to the sport we love.

[Chris C]

Thanks alot to the Lightning for stepping up big time for the NHL fans in the area!!!

Shame on NBC and Channel 8 for not being able to work it out..the networks complain about NHL ratings..
and they do stuff like that !

Hockey Fans apparently don't rate the way football does. Thank You Ron I would have been very angry if we couldn't watch the game go Ducks!!!!

[Nan]

I was going back and forth via e-mail yesteday with someone in the programming department at our local channel 8. Apparently Mr. Campbell has more persuasive powers (aka money) than anyone at channel 8 as this person told me that they tried to find a local channel to air it and were unable to! Channel 8 obviously did not want to buy the ad time as Mr Campbell did and make their viewers happy. Thank you Mr. Campbell! The Lightning organization has always and continues to be a class act operation.

[dan gauthier]

once again the lightning show how a class organizations operate. love the lightning and hockey. go bolts 07'-08'

[Dan]

This is a smart move for Wtta 38 to not show the Finals I'm sure they would have lost the two viewers it already has for there already crappy programing. I mean why show something that somebody actually wants to watch. I understand channel 8 side. But this really is a pathetic job for 38. I now present the person who came to this decision the Moron the Year Award. Congrats!!

[gretzky]

I have elected Sinclair Broadcasting as winners of the Jag Off of the week award

[gretzky]

Hats off to Ron Campbell for all he has tried to do. Hopefully he can come up with another miracle.

[gretzky]

Is there a phone number for Sinclair Broadcasting that can be called to get through to a live person?

[Nan]

Once again I applaud the Lightning organization, WFLA and Bright House for coming up with a solution. I will be watching the game for sure on Catch 47 (unless it gets moved again!) Thanks for the hard work. This hockey fan appreciates it!

[Tim A]

Why is NHL Hockey the only sport so discriminated against? If this was game 3 of the World Series, I bet no one would miss an opportunity to air it.

[slapshot]

Why won't ESPN start showing some NHL games. They say that they are the worldwide leader in sports but they never show hockey games. Check again ESPN, hockey is a sport. And they do have 2 channels, couldn't they squeeze in a game. Oh I'm sorry watching little sissys tackle each other and old guys on steriods hiting balls with a bat is more important.

[SarasotaBill]

Down here in Sarasota, I have no clue if I will see the game. I have NBC HDTV yet I don't have a clue if the NBC feed for regular TV is one and the same as the HDTV signal. I'll find out tonight.

I think the issue presents a couple of things that we as hockey fans can relate to.

First of all, the Lightning has stepped to the forefront and has tried to deliver to the fans of Tampa Bay, a game that they have no personal gain in. That speaks volumes for them. And like Nan, I appreciate it too. Very much. It may work, it may not. That isn't what matters. The simple fact the Bolts are making this effort is enough.

Secondly, it raises even more concern over Bettman and the league. This guy took over a league on it's way up, made big time changes, and destroyed the league in the process. But that's another story we may, or may not, visit in the future.

As the saying goes, let's take our hats off to the Lightning for making this less than easy effort for the hockey fans of Tampa Bay!!

[Lisa]

You are lucky if can't watch the game. The NHL again showed how bush league it has become. An obviously kicked in goal allowed, deliberate shots to the head by a thug not called and phantom hooking calls made.

The officiating has sucked all year. Yeah Pronger made a hit with his elbow however NEIL the SEN Schmuck of the year gets away with everything it truly amazes me. Pronger will end up with another suspension and Neil as the Player of the Game. B.S.NEIL SHOULD HAVE BEEN THROWN OUT MONTHS AGO.

[Lisa]

Neil is scum. I would love to see him get what he deserves.

[slapshot]

The Sens got all the lucky calls and bounces.

Go Ducks

Quack Quack

[Bolts Canucks Fan]

I hope people in Tampa get to see Game 3 of the Finals, for it was the best game of the series by a long shot. I agree with slapshot, the Sens got some lucky calls, but also think the Sens deserved to win that game. That goal from Alfreddson should not have counted, but Ottawa out hit the Ducks and got their game back in the process. The Sens were smart and played all 4 lines, instead of forcing their potent first line to produce. I think the Ducks will win in 7, but in the meantime, I'm rooting for Ottawa. Why does OC deserve a Cup? Get the Cup back to Canada and bring some of these fledging Southern teams with it as well. Tampa has a pretty strong following, but the Southern experiment is not working. Start out with Winnipeg and work on down to Quebec and maybe Kitchner. GO SENS GO! Jay Feaster, please sign Oleg Saprykin to our 3rd line. He'll be great alongside Jason Ward and Ryan Craig or T. Taylor. Thanks for reading.

[SarasotaBill]

The Southern Experiment is NOT working? Did I just hear that right? The "Southern Experiment?" Sorry, but you touched a nerve here.

The last 2 teams to win the Cup were Tampa and Carolina. Those same 2 teams were in the top 6 and 8 in the league in ticket sales for the last few years. The "Southern Experiment" isn't working? Please explain!!

Didn't Winnipeg have a team at one point? What happened to the Jets anyway? Let me refresh your memory. They were NOT supported and lost money. Next thing you know, they were gone.....

Quebec had a team also. What ever happened to the Nordiques? Same as the Jets. No support and they are gone!! And you try to tell me that the "Southern Experiment" isn't working? Nice try. Very weak, but well intended I'm sure!

Kitchner? Your kidding right? Great hockey town but an NHL franchise there? They barely support the local junior teams. Ain't gonna happen!!

Bring the Cup to Canada? Well.....if a Canadian team wins it, it will be there. Nobody, but nobody, deserves the Cup unless they win it. If Ottawa wins it I will tip my hat to them. If they don't win it, it will go to the team who does. Period!!

I've spent my time well north of the US border playing the game. I rode the busses (not like the greyhounds they ride today with heat and everything) you know the ones. The refurbished school busses where you had to take a down filled sleeping bag to keep hypothermia from slipping in in the first 2 hours of an 8 hour trip half way to the arctic circle to play a game.

Something just came to mind. Has anyone heard the line "It was the best of times, It was the worst of times?" Until I just said that, I never understood it. As most of you know by reading my jibberish, I'm no english major but now I understand it..... but that's another story.

Bolts Canuks Fan, if you want to make statements like the "Southern Experiment" isn't working and that Winnipeg and Quebec deserve teams when they couldn't support them when they had em, well....... prove to me and the world how those areas couldn't support their teams when they had em and why "Southern Experiement" teams should lose them when it's clear the areas support them. Much beter than the Jets and Nordiques could have dreamed of!!

Saprykin? Forget about it. Don't need him, don't want him, and will never need him. Just another 4th liner to clog up this team and not allow the young blood a chance.

[Lisa]

The whole NHL "experiment" will not work if when the league finally gets on national TV, the officials decide the games. I just turned off the TV, and will not watch the finals again this year. I love the Lightning and will return to watch them, go to my half season games, but I am so tired of the bias that is constantly shown. (Lovely dives by Neil and Emery)

Game 3 was a disgrace, Neil is a complete disgrace to the game, and for some reason, the league does nothing to him.

I have been watching hockey since the early 1970's, in Philadelphia, but the league will fail if they don't get their bias under control. It's a sad thing when real fans of the game actually could believe that there is a conspiracy by the league. (I don't actually think there is a league wide conspiracy, but have read postings where that is discussed, and they make some good points)

Finally, I am so tired of hearing about "sid the kid". Vinnie is an amazing player, he has matured into a complete leader and all around player, but in an article about him winning the Rocket Richard scoring title, they went on about Crosby and were putting Vinnie down. Get off his jock strap, and see how other players may actually be better at this time. (I am not disagreeing that if you compare Vinnie with Crosby at the same age, Crosby is further ahead. However, I will point out that Crosby has a lot more talent around him than Vinnie did at that age, and that at this time, Vinnie is the better and more complete player)

How can you name someone a captain of the team when you don't trust him to live without a nanny? When the team came to play earlier in the year, the analysts actually said that he was living with a teammate and his wife and family, so they could take care of him! (the game where it was said that Crosby watched Vinnie play and thought that he might be like that when he grew up). And finally, doing it in the middle of the finals and announcing it at that time just so he can be the youngest captain in history is just plain bush league. Wait a month or two and announce it at training camp. It's not like he has any work to do in the off season being the captain.

I am done with my rant, but am just fed up and wanted to voice my opinion. Now, the Ottowa fans can trash my post.
To me, if you need a nanny, you shouldn't be the team captain. Vinnie shouldn't have been the captain at his young age, but he is definately ready now.

[SarasotaBill]

Go Lisa!!!

Go Lisa!!!

Go Lisa!!!

Now That's a hockey fan!!!

Sounds like you have been watching since the days of the "broad street bullies." Great time in Philly back then. Not so great since then.

Like the Crosby and Vinny comparison. Nanny boy has become the biggest crybaby in the league.

Lisa is my new friend!!!!

[Lisa]

Hi SarasotaBill,

Yes, I have been a fan since the Broadstreet Bullies, and I loved them at the time. But now, I am a true blue Tampa Bay Lightning fan!

Good to "meet" other fans/friends!

[Sara]

Go Lisa is right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Alfredson should be suspended for that cheap shot at Neidemeyer. It won't happen though. Neil must have a relative sitting reviewing plays that's the only way anyone can get away with those antics. Vinny doesn't get the respect he deserves if he played with the Ducks,or the Sens or Buffalo he would have 100 goals. Bottom line someone needs to address the abysmal officiating.

My husband is convinced that there is a conspiracy and that the NHL doesn't want the Southern Teams to win.I have to agree. Wathching the last two games I have been amazed with the lack of calls. Our beloved Bolts spent an awful lot of time in the box for much lesser offenses.Neil is beyond a disgrace and calling Pronger a backstabber is amazing, Last game at the Forum he didn't miss one cheap shot. After every whisle he cross-checked someone. Can't stand the guy.

[Satch]

This is better than lives of our days!

We hear from a so called Bolts fan who wants out team to be moved to canada. SB shows up in prime form.

Lisa goes after officials and SB's crush is obvious.

This is great!! Damian, you should charge for this kind of entertainment!!

Now that the Ducks have taken a 3-1 lead I'm a happy guy. Just cuz it will p!$$ off the Bolt imposter. What do you think of SB and the Ducks now???

Bahahahahahaha

[Bolts Canucks Fan]

Wow, what a response, Sarasota Bill! Thanks for your input. Allow me to explain the "Southern experiment." I wasn't attacking the teams and how they play as a team. I, too, am a Lightning fan and have been so since day 1. But, I think the attendance stats are circumstance dictated based on the performance of the team, not the fact that everyone in Raleigh and Tampa just loves hockey. One good thing about the Southern teams is that the GMs and owners know if they don't field a competitive team, "fans" won't come to the games. Places like Montreal and Toronto, if the teams tank, fans still come and why, because they love the game of hockey, not just a team that plays in their hometown. And when a Southern team does win a Cup, in many ways, it's just a passing-fleeting moment. Currently, I am living in NC and NO ONE talks about hockey, NO ONE really cares about the Finals. That is my problem with these Southern teams. It seems when their team is not in the deep playoff mix, most fans just ignore it. So, that is my beef with the Southern fan base. Maybe what I said is more a personal belief than anything else and if I insulted you, then I apologize. So, let's move on to your other questions.

For me to say that OC didn't deserve a Cup was lame and I feel bad for that remark. I did have the chance to see a Ducks game in December and was surprised that it was about 75% full. I just didn't feel that hockey buzz I got when going to Canucks games and was a bit disappointed. So, for me to see them go crazy over the Cup now, it just seems like a bandwagon response to me. I will say the Ducks played a smart game last night. The Sens got too caught up in Cup fever and let a game get away. That shot by Alfreddson was really lame against one of the best D men in hockey. Most likely, the Ducks will win a Cup and the way they have played, they deserve it. Moving on...

Yeah, Quebec and Winnipeg did move, but think that was more financial than the fans not willing to support their team. Personally, I would like to see more teams in Canada. The 24 to 6 ratio is unfair in my book. Yeah, Kitchner is a bit small for a NHL team, but I think it's time to realize that this game will never take off in a big way in the US. Hockey is poorly promoted, expensive to attend, no US TV contract, and people in the States prefer other sports. Jeez, even ESPN shows WNBA games. Why not hockey? I would like to see more Canadian teams, but will keep quiet on which current teams should go. It just upsets people too much...

I am a big Oleg Saprykin fan, since my favorite junior team is the Seattle Thunderbirds, which I attended games for 6 years while living there. I do think he would be a good player for us, for much of my reasoning is that I really don't see Tampa getting a game-breaking forward, unless they trade Brad or another high salary guy. Oleg has had a good series against Anaheim and will be most likely be available after the series. By the way, what are the odds he will sign with Tampa? Do you think Jay Feaster is really reading what I have to say? Anyways, this argument is ridiculous. Lord knows where he will wind up...

Hope this clears up what I wrote. Bill, you are a really respectable and knowledgeable fan and enjoy reading your entries. Hope to read from you in the future.

All The Best,

Bolts Canucks Fan

[Tim A]

I like it when NBC commentators call out the league official and call them a bunch of amateurs. 7 months into the season, well into the finals and they still can't get the easy calls right. When is the league finally going to get some integrity. The commissioner should be fired immediately and replaced by interim until they can find an old school replacement, someone who will bring back ICE HOCKEY. The finals are the result of a social experiment gone bad in sports. Its time to stop the experimentation and bring the real game. Fire all the officials and make new ones, bring up the ones we have in the NCAA and international leagues, ship these crooks off to Siberia and start over.
Ice Hockey will continue to flounder as long as Gary Bettman is allowed to be the cancerous commissioner that he is. The game is suffering and needs a cure...fire Bettman now!

[Bolts Canucks Fan]

Lisa, great commentary on the Vincent/Crosby comparisons and whatnot. Pretty harsh on Crosby a bit? Personally, I agree, I'm tired of the league kissing up to him so much, but the guy is a hell of a player and right now, I feel the league will make or break by what this guy is capable of. Vinnie is awesome as well, but if I was a GM and had a choice of the 2, I'd take Crosby in a second! Both players have different strengths. Vinnie is a better scorer and 2-way player. Crosby has better vision on the ice and a better play maker. In time, Crosby will be a better 2-way player and the guy is only 19...

I don't think VC would have achieved Crosby's results at 19, even if he had the talent that Sidney has. What Crosby has done is really amazing, to win an Art Ross and most likely the Hart at 19 is just incredible. To sum it up, I like both players and respect the abilities of both. Of course, Vinnie is my favorite and Tampa's all-around best player, but feel Crosby is a bit better.

Thanks for reading and no more talk of what the fan base is lacking in the South. I'm done with it, but do appreciate the comments in this blog by these knowledgeable fans. With that in mind, maybe there is hope that the sport can further develop in a positive way. There is so much to learn and appreciate about this wonderful sport.

GO SENS GO!

Bolts Canucks Fan

[Lisa]

I agree Crosy's a great player, and it will be interesting to see what he will do in the future. However, I get tired of other players being put down while they try to shove Crosby down our throats.

Personally, I think the NHL is horrible at promoting itself. Instead of just concentrating on one player who many people consider to be a whiny little kid, they should promote some of the other amazing stories.

It's sad to see how these playoffs have fallen even further in ratings. Apparantly, 1/3 less viewers than when the Lightning won! But the Lightning had some good story lines: Marty (undrafted, little guy, Hart Trophy, etc.) Add to that the fact that the Lightning went from last place to Stanley Cup in just 2 years. These were great story lines to capture the interest of the casual viewer.

Now, the league has put all its pr into one player, and that doesn't sell the league or the game, just the one player. (Especially when that team doesn't make it beyond the first round of the play offs)

And my last thought on Crosby: if you don't trust him to be able to live alone like an adult, how can you respect him enough to put a C on his shoulder? That is just my opinion, I am not a hockey player, and don't know anything about locker room dynamics. but I do know that one of the best captains in the history of the League has to be Dave A. He came into a last place team, and held everyone accountable, and taught them respect and really was instrumental in turning the team around. Do you believe that a 19 year old kid can do that? Players went to Dave A. for many things, he was there for the young guys,and life experience helped him be a role model and support for the players. Do you really believe a 19 year old kid can do that?

[Francois T. Bandersnatch]

Congratulations to the Ducks. They out played and out thugged the Senators, which I didn’t think was possible.
Wish we could bid the officials farewell in their new jobs.

I feel lousy for Shane O’Brien, missing out on the glorious skate around with the Cup; but I feel great he’s with us to help bring it back here next year.
Protect your goalie and it could happen.

[SarasotaBill]

Welcome back BC Fan. Pull up a chair, smoke em if ya got em.......lets chat!

Thanks for coming back and straightening me out on a few things. After reading your comments I see we have a different opinion on what "supporting" a team means.

OK so you don't want to talk about the "southern" thing again, but I do!! Hang with me for a minute.

It has become clear to me that you are a native Canadian. So what? No one else would make a suggestion to put an NHL team in.............. Kitchener????? Fat chance. Nowhere enough the $ for that to happen anytime soon. Or later for that fact. I think our disagreement comes to this. You think that "supporting" a team means talking about them at every corner and in every cafe. The reality is, "supporting" a team comes to $ and cents. Sense too!!

The telling comment was............."It was more financial than the fans not willing to support their team!" Ya think? What exactly supports a hockey team in any town? Paying customers, for a start. Talk about your team all you want but if you don't buy some tickets, you only support them in spirit. Nothing wrong with that, but someone has bills to pay and if you want a team in your town, you need to "support" that team with more than just spirit and lip service.

I think, and maybe I'm wrong but if I am you will set me straight, that you don't understand why hockey isn't talked about everywhere here (in the south) like it is in Ontario, Quebec, and wherever. That isn't going to happen anytime soon. The US is not Canada. Make no mistake, hockey is Canada's game. Always has been, probably always will be. That doesn't mean that US cities, even those of south of the mason dixon line, don't have our share of true blue hockey fans. And the south supports their teams. They buy tickets. Compare attendance records for the last few years. Start with Edmonton. It's ugly. Compare the "nascar" division ticket sales with all the Canadian teams. I think you will get my point.

At the same time, are these "hockey" towns? Well ... compared to what? Compared to Canadian cities? Hardly! Hockey is still new to many in the south and other areas of the US but keep this in mind, 4 of the original 6 NHL teams were in the US.

I don't know where you are in NC but it doesn't matter. If you think you can walk into a starbucks (or tim hortons) in NC and talk about the Pete's, forget about it. It ain't Peterborough. Never will be. Slide up to the mountains there in NC and talk hockey. You will quickly find out you are NOT in Banff. These are cities that are still learning how to embrace this game. Building a fan base takes years, decades even. Forgive us yankee's for not jumping into it so quickly. But don't say the "southern" experiment has gone bad. Fans who are here support their teams. Few as we may be. But we are here dammit!! Get used to us. We aren't going away soon.

You make some very interesting points on promotion. Tim A hit on some of that. I don't have a clue how Bettman still has a job. But's that's another story. I'm off to my pillow. Sweet dreams all!!

[Bolts Canucks Fan]

Sarasota Bill, thanks for responding. To be honest with you, I was a bit scared to read your response. I said some blanket statements and feel bad for it. But, thanks again for your reply. I wrote something on the prospects subject below, this one regarding the Ducks. It was nice, which is a change for me. Just kidding...

You are wrong in where I came from. I am in fact born and raised in Clearwater, FL. SWEAR TO GOD!!! I have always been a Lightning fan, yet didn't really understand the game or appreciated it until I moved to Seattle. When I started going to Canucks games in nearby Vancouver, I was just entranced by the energy and excitement from being in a hockey environment. The games were awesome and the fans were passionate and really knew the sport. Many, like yourself, played and might have sons and friends who play the game, which in many ways gives you greater depth, appreciation, and knowledge of the game. Sarasota Bill, I don't even know how to skate! I'm from Florida, but really wanted to learn the game in a big way. Then, I got into junior hockey and grew as a fan from being in that environment. In time, I hope to learn more about NCAA and minor league hockey, but it's all about learning the game. This blog is a great help as well, thanks to you and the other bloggers...

A couple of years ago while living in Seattle, I was in the Thunderbirds booster club and at the team Christmas dinner, I talked to a promising center named Chris Durand, now an Avs prospect who's currently plays for Prince George in the WHL. We talked about the Lightning and Vincent Lecavalier and how he was so important to the appreciation and growth of this franchise. I said, if you go to a young team, one in the South or California, you grow and develop with the fans. I can remember going to Bolts games and remember how they would have trivia questions on the penalties for hockey, displayed on the teleprompter screen. Now, the fans know the penalties and there is no need to do that anymore. Most fans have greatly improved in seeing a play develop and the little things that make hockey great. All of this is wonderful progress in a city who's average yearly temperature is 72 degrees. So, there are benefits to having these Southern teams. I would have never been introduced to hockey without the Lightning, yet I would not be blogging here without going to those Canucks and T-Bird games. So, I do think the fans in the South have a disadvantage if not exposed to either playing the game or being in an environment that already has the passion intact. It's tough to recreate that passion and that is my criticism in the South, but people do love the game here in Tampa and I'm sure that love extends to all fans of the lower-market teams. I just want to see more passionate fans up North get their fill for this game and not be excluded, just because Phoenix can appear to make more money for owners than Winnipeg.

That's it and have a great summer. Thanks for blogging. Now, I got to go ride my bike. That's my first love, Sarasota Bill. Been a cyclist for almost 21 years, but would turn the clock back and play hockey in my early grade school and teen years. Now in the Tampa area, there are hockey leagues for all ages and abilities, much of this attributed to the exposure and marketing by the Lightning organization. Would it be so cool to see a Tampa native play in the WHL, OHL, or for a NCAA team, maybe even wind up in the NHL? Maybe in time, that will happen.

All The Best,

Bolts Canucks Fan

[SarasotaBill]

For once, I might be speechless!!!

Great post BC fan. I made some assumptions about you that I was apparently wrong on. OK, so I'll eat my crow. Pass the tabasco please........

I still don't get the Kitchener thing but so what. I've said here before, and to anyone who will listen, that hockey fans are the most passionate of any. You just proved that.

I read about your time in the northwest and experiencing hockey up close and personal. Funny thing, once it invades your soul, there's no turning back.

You don't have to play. You don't have to grow up in Canada. But once you truly embrace this game, it hugs back. Then it's got ya! Your experience is a perfect example of that.

The southern natives have never quite experienced that. Nevertheless, that doesn't mean that the game won't get them. It's grabbed a bunch of them and that trend will continue. Keep in mind that a lot of people that now live here are transplants. Many of which come from northern cities and are no strangers to this game. Still, everyday grows another fan. Not just a Bolts fan, a hockey fan. Bolts fan first, then many become true hockey fans. Doesn't happen overnight, but it's happening.

A few last notes....I wish you didn't mention about the scoreboard showing the penalty skits. How terribly embarrasing. For me it was anyway. But I guess I understood it. I hated it, but I understood it.

Next........enjoy your riding. Have a great summer.

And last..... if anyone wonders what it's like to become a hockey fan, show them these words as posted by BC fan

"When I started going to Canucks games in nearby Vancouver, I was just entranced by the energy and excitement from being in a hockey environment. The games were awesome and the fans were passionate and really knew the sport."

I love the words, energy, excitement, awesome, passionate.....

Ain't it just like a hockey fan!!!!!!!

[Bolts Canucks Fan]

Sarasota Bill, thanks for the nice reply. I'm glad to hear we're on good blogging terms. One last thing I wanted to ask you before the summer starts: What distinguishes a player to play left or right wing? It seems that left wingers are more physical like Rick Nash or Dustin Penner and RWs are more skating and speed guys like St. Louis and Cheechoo. Then you put Bertuzzi into the RW equation and then it screws this theory up. Does having a left or right hand shot determine where a winger plays? Any help in this would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks Again,

Bolts Canucks Fan

[SarasotaBill]

Left or right wing? Good question. Let's look at the natural aspect of things first. Stay with me for a while..

It's typical of a right hander to shoot from the left side of their body with the right hand controling the the top of their stick. The top hand (the right hand and dominant hand)has everything to do with the power and accuracy of the shot. Sounds weird but it's fact. The dominant hand controls the accuracy and power from the top of the stick. Likewise, a lefty will shoot from the right side of their body. Meaning, a righty will hold their stick with the blade pointed to their left side while a lefty will do the opposite.

Just the opposite of golf.

The thought was always that a right handed player who holds his blade to the left was in a better position to pick the puck off the boards while keeping his position. Same thing reversed for lefties. Make sense? Good God I hope so!! LOL

Lets look at d-men for a minute. Righties carry their blade to the left of their body just as lefties carry their blade on the right of their bodies. Playing the point, and playing defensively, it makes all the sense in the world to have your blade pointed to the outside where it's easier to control the boards without turning your back. I think you will see that most d-men hold their sticks to the nearest side board rather than to the center of the ice. There's a reason for that.

Next time you get a chance, take a gander at d-men on any team. Right or left position, they typically have the blades of their sticks facing the nearest side boards.

Next time you get a chance, look at LW's and RW's and you will see the same. They play with the blade of their sticks facing the nearest side board.

OK, I hear the objections right now. Stay with me a minute further. Please.

Several years ago, european teans discovered that reversing players gave them a better shooting angle. Take a typical left winger whose skates are on the faceoff dot on the left side of the ice to the goalies right. They have a clear shot but the puck is on their stick 2 feet to the left of the circle. Not the best angle. Switch wingers and a leftie, who holds the blade of their stick pointing to the right boards, will have the puck on their stick 2 feet inside the dot which presents a much better angle. That theory is good as long as it doesn't become a defensive liability.

I could go on about this but I won't because I type too slow.

Let me bring an end to this by saying, "typically" a right hander plays with the blade of their stick facing the left side of their body which makes it easier to control the pucks on the boards. These players will "typically" play left wing, left defense, or center. Who cares how a center shoots? Doesn't matter!! Same in reverse for lefties. They hold the blades of their sticks on the right side of their bodies which makes them natural rw or right d-man.

Early on in North America, if you were a righty you shot from the left side of your body and were considered only a LW, LD-MAN, or maybe a center. Same for the other half. To this day, that is still 95% true but their are exceptions. Let me look at a few close to my heart.

St Louis is a rightie. He holds his stick, as all righties do' to the left which would mean he's a LW or center in a generalized hockey world. Marty has been a RW for the last 3 seasons here. Against the grain for sure but it works doesn't it?

Look at Boyle! Dan Boyle is a righty. He plays with the blade of his stick on his left side. L-D right? Naw.... he doesn't like it there. He feels more comfy on the right side so that's where he plays.

I've said this before and I won't steer clear of it now. DB is not my favorite player. At the same time I posted here that he got screwed out of the all star team. He should have been there but's that's another story that doesn't need to be revisited ever. What's done is done!

Ever notice where he gets into trouble? Think about this for a minute. His natural position (according to the old time rule of thumb) would be left defense because of how he shoots. When he gets into trouble is usually because he gets stuck at the point having to turn his back to the play and that's not good. Not being able to face the front of the ice (meaning where you want to go) can cause problems.

Sheesh, I could go on and on but I won't. Your question doesn't have a simple or easy answer. Let's assume this. On average, players who shoot from the left side will be LW LD and those who shoot from the right side of their bodies are RW and RD.

Exceptions are out there. but if you look close you will see that what I'm saying is true. Are LW's more physical than RW's? Maybe in todays environment but there is no reason that I could fathom to play a guy on an off wing for sterotypical purposes. maybe in todays game LW's are bigger and badder and RW' are more skilled. Wait a few years, that could change.

In the day, you knew where you would play according to how you held your stick. The same applies today but with more exceptions. I see no adavantage to stocking up the right side with fast guys and stocking up the left with bad @$$#$. I think what your seeing is just the current balance of players in the league now. I don't think it has anything to do with "casting."

[Satch]

Great Stuff! I was out for a little golf with a friend of mine and we ended up as a foursome with a couple of guys and one of them was Cam Neely. After 18 we sat down for a beverage and we saw a clip of Sweedish hockey team and I made a comment about Modin playing rw instaed of lw. Neely explained that in europe they more often than not play the "off" wing. What? He explained the whole stick thing and the importance of having your stick to the boards. You don't want to have to turn your back on the play. In europe they play on a larger surface so there is less board play so even if someone gets turned around they have the room to get turned back. In north america you play in tighter quarters and getting turned can be disasterous. In europe they can take advantage of the better shooting angles with little or no consequence.

Some european players can come here and switch but some simply cannot adjust so they play the "off" wing.

Just when you thought the game was simple!!

[F.T.B.S.]

Cam Neely is one of my all time favorites.
Wish I could have told him I'd sock Ulfie for him if given the opportunity.

I'm not as classy as Cam.

[SarasotaBill]

Satch, you just blew my mind!! Was Cam's friend named Scott? Or maybe you heard his nickname Scooter? St Louis kinda build, about 5-8 and built like a small freight train?

[SarasotaBill]

F.T. You got that right. Cam is as classy as they come. He is very much involved in charity work up in New England with his Cam Neely Foundation. He lost both his parents to cancer and has taken up the cause with all the same drive he played with. Outstanding player, outstanding human being!

And, I'd also like a crack at Ulf. Just one. That hit, dirty as it was, isn't what ended his career, it was that odd thing he developed in after the injury which I guess could be attributed to the hit. Doesn't matter, Ulf deserves a shot anyway.

For those of you who youngin's who don't know Cam Neely, let me offer a little perspective. Not only was Cam a very physical player, he had some of the best hands the league has ever seen. It's rare to see the speed, power, and scoring touch all rolled into one.

Lecavalier netted 50 goals this year in 82 games which is a huge accomplishment. HUGE!! Cam did it 4 or 5 times in his career and one season he netted 50 in just 44 games.

In his day he was one of the best fighters in the game. Brutal hitter. Great skater. And scored 50 for many of those seasons. An absolute freak. On top of that, one of the worlds great humans.

Gotta Love Cam!!

[Satch]

Yes, SB, These guys introduced themselves as Cam and Scooter. Your description is right on. You know these guys? When I heard the names they both sounded like nicknames so the name Cam didn't strike me at the time. It wasn't until after we played and were having a beverage that it came up. It was quite a surprise. Great guys and Cam was nice enough to sign my scorecard. A memorable day on the course.

Come on now, who the hell are you anyway?

[Francois T. Bandersnatch]

Awww c'mon Satch, please don't ask the man to step out in front of all the sickies perusing the blogs hiding behind anonymity.
That's why Phantom left.

Why not go back to the archived blogs from winter and find a post with a hyperlinked signature and email SB directly?

Have a good grip on that scorecard, man. Thanks for sharing that story....