Saturday is Green Night

First Rays Appreciation Night and now this. From the team:

The Lightning will host ‘Green Night’ presented by Waste Services of Florida, in association with Heineken, to celebrate recycling and environmental awareness on saturday, when they take on the Ottawa Senators at 7:30 p.m. (AM 620 WDAE).

Fans attending the game will be encouraged to assist in the St. Pete Times Forum’s green efforts by receiving ticket discounts for supporting green initiatives.  Those who bring a used phone book to recycle will receive a lower level ticket for $20 or an upper level ticket for $5.  Fans who ride their bike to the game will receive free admittance to the game.  Secure bike parking will be available.  The first 10,000 fans will also receive an eco-friendly rally towel courtesy of Waste Services.

Thanks to Waste Services of Florida, Tampa Electric will power the St. Pete Times Forum with renewable energy for the entire day.  It is the first time in the history of the Times Forum that it will be run on renewable energy. There will also be multiple organizations on the Chrysler/Jeep Plaza before the game to educate fans on various green programs.  Groups on the plaza will include Tampa Electric, the City of Tampa and the Mayor’s Beautification Committee.

"I applaud the Tampa Bay Lightning and Tampa Electric for demonstrating strong leadership in making tomorrow night's NHL game at the St. Pete Times Forum the first-ever using 100-percent Florida-based renewable energy,” said Florida Governor Charlie Crist.  “Florida is a leader on energy issues and good corporate citizens are playing an important role in that change.”

“We have prided ourselves in the past for being a community leader when it comes to certain things,” said Lightning owner Oren Koules. “We have extensive ‘Go Green’ programs throughout the building on a daily basis. The opportunity to power the building on renewable energy tomorrow is a fantastic one and we look forward to being able to embrace more and more green opportunities as they present themselves in the future.”

Tampa Electric President Chuck Black said, “It is a pleasure to support the Tampa Bay Lightning and the St. Pete Times Forum by providing the Lightning with renewable energy for their game. This renewable energy will offset 30 tons of carbon dioxide or the equivalent of taking five cars off the road for one year or planting eight acres of trees."

The St. Pete Times Forum is dedicated to water and energy conservation.  Waterless urinals were recently installed in all 37 public restrooms, reducing water consumption and saving energy throughout the building.  These revolutionary urinals provide an average savings of 1,665,000 gallons of water per year.

The Times Forum also promotes reuse of office products and other items by donating to non-profit organizations such as Teaching Tools for Hillsborough Schools.  It also recycles all restaurant grease, which is most commonly used as biodiesel.

A huge step forward

It wasn't so much that the Lightning won two straight road games, it is that it won two straight in arenas that have been houses of horrors the past few seasons. Tampa Bay snapped a 0-5-1 streak at the Air Canada Center, and beat back memories of seven- and six-goal periods by the Sabres at HSBC Arena.

And if you don't think such things make a difference, check out the way the team played in Buffalo after beating the Maple Leafs. In that sense, it will be interesting to see how Tampa Bay does Saturday at home against the Senators.

It will be another test. Ottawa generally handles the Lightning, but the signs, for now, anyway, are on the upswing. And it is amazing, isn't it, after all the worry and negativity, the team is third in the Southeast with a 3-3-3 record that has to be considered a noteworthy accomplishment.

So, take these signs for what they are worth:

The Lightning held the Sabres to just 31 shots and had a team-high 40. Tampa Bay was as quick as Buffalo, a team that ran rings around the Lightning the past few years. The defense is better (thumbs up to Mike Lundin), and it is so, in part, because the forwards are engaged in the defensive zone. Toward that end, props to Vinny Prospal, who is setting an example for his linemates in that area. Olaf Kolzig is a brilliant backup in goal.

Most important, you are starting to see what the team can do offensively. It still is a work in progress, but Vinny Lecavalier's line was flying against the Sabres and Steven Stamkos' line is starting to show signs of life.

"We are quietly turning into a good hockey team," coach Barry Melrose said.

Wait for the bumps, because they will come, but the trajectory has generally been up the past four games. That's more than could be said after the first four.

Stamkos gets first NHL goal

Lightning rookie Steven Stamkos, one game removed from his first NHL point, scored his first NHL goal 9:51 into the first period of Thursday's game with the Sabres. It was a power play goal. Stamkos, in front of the net, sharply deflected Vinny Lecavalier's one-timer from the right wing faceoff circle.

Stamkos always said once he gets his first goal, he hoped the flood gates would open. We'll see, but the more he plays the better he has looked.

Give the kid a hand. He has handled the questions and the expectations beautifully for an 18-year-old. And as Lecavalier has said, "He's always smiling."

And now he has been rewarded.

Marty St. Louis also got an assist on the play, and that was significant. Since putting Stamkos on the power play, the Lightning has used four forwards on the first unit with St. Louis on the point. Lecavalier rotates that way as well, but St. Louis controls the play. That is partially to get as much firepower on a power play that has struggled, but coach Barry Melrose said that also is about what right now the defense.

"Right now we don't have a defenseman who is that type of D," Melrose said. "Marty has ice water in his veins."

Important road trip coming

The five-day road trip that begins Wednesday and goes through New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia Washington and Florida is going to be big, and not just in relation to where the Lightning will be in the standings. 

General manager Brian Lawton said he is going to start making some determinations about personnel at that point. Not that he hasn't started that process already, but the extended road swing will give him a chance to really look at where changes are necessary.

"As we hit New York and New Jersey, I'm really looking forward to that to form some serious opinions of what goes on here," Lawton said.

"From a macro view, I want to see the direction of the team. What is our personality of our team? What is our chemistry as a group? From an individual level, I'm trying to get a full accounting if where every player is at. What can they take and what is too much for them? What's the breaking point? And trying to build the team from there."

Lawton said he still is trying to absorb as much as he can about the team, and likely will be at every game -- EVERY GAME -- except for some scouting duties as we get closer to the March 4 trade deadline and at the world junior championships.

"My job ... is to get to know this team like I know the back of my hand," he said. "I don't feel I'm there yet at all. It takes time."

As for what he has seen so far, Lawton said, he believes players got a "pop" from finally getting away from home on this short two-game swing. But also,  "Some players, frankly, are much better than I thought thy were. Others aren't at the level I thought they were. That's what you determine by being on top of it."

Other stuff from this morning: Olaf Kolzig will start in net tonight against the Sabres. Coach Barry Melrose said he envisions a three-to-one ratio in how many games Mike Smith starts to Kolzig. That could change if Kolzig goes on a tear or Smith slumps, but right now the plan is for Smith to run with the  No. 1 job. ... Melrose said forward Ryan Craig (groin) is ready to play. Right wing Radim Vrbata (groin) is close). ... With Steven Stamkos getting more power play time, it has been interesting that Tampa Bay is going with four forwards and one defenseman with Marty St. Louis running the show on a point. Vinny Lecavalier also rotates to the point, but it is St. Louis with the quarterback responsibility. Melrose said it is partly necessity. "We just don't have a defenseman who is that type of D. To run a  point on a power play you have to have ice water in your veins. You have to have moxie. You have to be willing to wait out the forechecker. You have to be a special type of player to play that position, and that's why Marty is so good. Marty has ice water in his veins. He'll wait guys out. Our other D aren't those type of D."   

Lightning to host Rays Appreciation Night

The Lightning will host Tampa Bay Rays Appreciation Night Saturday when they take on the Ottawa Senators at 7:30 p.m.

In honor of the Rays’ improbable run to the World Series, any fan wearing the team’s garb, including hats, t-shirts and jerseys, on Saturday will have the ability to purchase a ticket to the game at a 50-percent discount.

Tickets must be purchased on Saturday at the McDonald’s Box Office at the St. Pete Times Forum only.

Steven Stamkos' excellent adventure

Talked about this a little in the previous post and touched on it more in the game story in Wednesday's paper, but I wanted to give a little more background to the little trick the team played on rookie Steven Stamkos before Tuesday's game.

We all know the story about Stamkos, last summer's No. 1 draft choice, growing up in the Toronto suburb of Unionville, and that Tuesday was his first NHL game at the Air Canada Centrre. So, the Lightning players, who have really taken to Stamkos ("He's always smiling," captain Vinny Lecavalier said), decided to let him skate onto the ice first during warmups. What Stamkos didn't know is that his teammates were going to hold up in the runway to the ice and have him skate out by himself. It worked as it took Stamkos about a half a lap of the Lightning zone to realize he was out there alone.

"I guess it was one of those rookie initiation things that I've never heard of," Stamkos said. "I guess we're going to start doing it every time here if we keep winning."

"It was pretty funny," goaltender Mike Smith said. "He got a chuckle out of it. He looked back and he was the only one on the ice and he had a grin on his face and shook his head. He gave me a tap on the pads when I went out there, so it was pretty funny, and I'm sure a moment he will never forget."

It was a good moment for the players as well. But it was Stamkos, who showed class by knowing when it is okay to laugh at one's self.

"When I was behind the net, I thought Smitty was behind me," Stamkos said. "I looked back and he gave me a little grin through his mask. I felt a little ashamed there, but I don't think many people noticed. It was pretty funny."

Stamkos finally gets a point

Steven Stamkos' first NHL point came on Vinny Lecavalier's second goal of the game, a power-play tally that gave Tampa Bay a 3-1 lead over the maple Leafs 4:03 into the second period. It was a secondary assist, but at this point does it really matter.

Stamkos, who grew up in the Toronto suburbs and was playing his first game at the Air Canada Centre, was the butt of a joke by his teammates before the game. As Stamkos sprinted onto the ice for warmups, the rest of the team behind him held up. It took Stamkos several moments to realize he was on the ice by himself. Good for a laugh.

Stamkos' assist was good for a smile to as he got his stick on the puck that Vinny Prospal then pushed to Lecavalier with a diving effort. Lecavalier's crisp backhander was his second goal of the game.

Have to set the record straight here, too. Coach Barry Melrose, who, as we have seen in the past, has used deception to try to confuse opponents, did not split up the Lecavalier line as he did in practice and during Tuesday's morning skate. Prospal, Lecavalier and Marty St. Louis were still together and looking, really, better than they have in a while. Matt Pettinger, instead of playing with Lecavalier and St. Louis, was with Chris Gratton and Mark Recchi.

Just FYI, the Lightning, winning 3-1 with 9:56 left in the second period, is being outshot 24-12.   

Lecavalier politely asks for more minutes

Captain Vinny Lecavalier didn't make a big deal out of it. He was speaking more matter of factly than anything else. But Lecavalier said he would like to play more than he has. Entering Tuesday's game Lecavalier was averaging 19:31 of ice time, though he played just 18:25 and 16:38 the past two games.

"it's definitely a change," Lecavalier said before the game with the Maple Leafs. "I would like to play more, and I like to play more. I want to get the 20 minutes in there, or 21 minutes. A lot of people say we played too much last year and I understand that. But 20, 21 minutes, I think, would be a good number."

Coach Barry Melrose has said he does not want Lecavalier or Marty St. Louis averaging the 25 minutes they did last season, the better to keep them fresh. But Lecavalier said, "The more you play, the more you're into the game. I'm so used to always being back out there and being in the game. When you play 16, 17 minutes it's a little tougher to do."

Lecavalier admitted his surgically repaired right shoulder still is sore and has not regained its full strength.

Crush of reporters greets Lightning

Just a rough count, but it appeared there were about 50 reporters at the Lightning's morning skate on Tuesday, six with television cameras. Most were attending to speak to rookie Steven Stamkos, who grew up in the Toronto suburb of Unionville, and was to play his first game at the Air Canada Centre.

Stamkos was treated well by the media; no accusatory questions about his lack of points or lack of playing time. It was kind of comical, though, to see the stakeout at his locker before he even got off the ice. There was such a crush of reporters, Chris Gratton had to change out of his uniform two stalls away from his assigned space, which was right next to Stamkos.

Stamkos reaction to the whole thing: "It was pretty cool."

There were other subjects as well. Vinny Prospal stood firm in the face of a Toronto reporter who pestered him about "grumbling" in the Lightning locker room. That became a point of interest after Hockey Night in Canada's Al Strachan reported that owner Len Barrie was diagramming plays in the locker room during one of the two season-opening games in Prague (a report the team has been very strong in condemning) and that his source was a player.

Anyway, Prospal was polite but shot down every attempt to get him to say players are unhappy.

"I don't think there's anything like that," he said. "We have a good group of guys here. We get along great. We have no problems with this group. We've just got to get some wins."

Coach Barry Melrose again said the report was "a lie."

"Canada used to be a country where you couldn't lie," Melrose continued. "I was brought up in Saskatchewan, and if I lied, my father would kick my butt. But, obviously, that's not the case in Ontario, where you can say anything you want without repercussions. ... I guess there's not much journalistic integrity anywhere in Canada."

But back to Stamkos. Melrose said he will try even harder to get the No. 1 draft choice more ice time by perhaps putting him on both power play units; as a forward on the first unit and perhaps on the point on the second.

"we're trying to get him his first goal, too." Melrose said. "We want to get him fired up and going, too. That will give the people something else to write about when he scores his first goal."

As for the game: Mike Smith, who enters with a league-best .941 save percentage, will make his fourth straight start in goal. ... Matt Pettinger will start on left wing on Vinny Lecavalier's line. Prospal was moved off that line and will center for Gratton and Mark Recchi. ... Forwards Ryan Craig and Radim Vrbata, both out with groins, skated but were scratched. Defenseman Janne Niskala also was scratched. ... The Lightning has scored just four first-period goals but has allowed just one, that's best in the league. But Tampa Bay has scored only two in the second and allowed seven.

 

Front office blasts Canadian reporter

What a long day. The flight to Toronto was nice enough but immigration took longer than usual and traffic from the airport to downtown was such that it took an hour to get to the team hotel. Then had to work, and finally got something to eat on a rainy and cold night.

So, those are my excuses for not submitting something to this site earlier today.

There was much interest around the Lightning about a weekend report by Hockey Night in Canada's Al Strachan, who said owner Len Barrie was in the Lightning locker room during one of the games against the Rangers in Prague and started diagramming power play and penalty kill strategies.

Both Barrie and coach Barry Melrose said it did not happen.

"What a joke. I mean, come on," Barrie said. "We've got four capable coaches to do that. The day we don't think they are capable of handling that is the day I don't go into the locker room to diagram plays but to make a change (at coach)."

"Al is sort of a spaghetti salesman," Melrose said. "Al just throws so much against the wall and hopes something sticks. It's B.S. Al thrives on B.S. It's total lies."

Strachan said his anonymous source was a Lightning player. Asked if that bothered him, Melrose said, "Well, if it is, then the liar is in the dressing room. If that's the case, yeah, I'd be worried about that. But I can't worry about that. If a guy is a liar, he's a liar."

As far as practice on Monday, Melrose broke up Vinny Lecavalier's line, putting Matt Pettinger on the left wing in place of Vinny Prospal, who was centering a line that included Chris Gratton and Mark Recchi. ... Both Ryan Craig and Radim Vrbata, both out with groins, practiced and made the trip to Toronto, but it seemed unlikely either would play.