Goalie Smith out, Ramo up

The last we saw of Lightning goalie Mike Smith he was smashing a water bottle and overturning carts in the hallway leading to the locker room after he was pulled from Friday's loss to the Flyers. It is unknown if that had any affect on Monday's announcement Smith will not fly with the team for Tuesday's game against the Islanders. Mike McKenna, signed Monday to an NHL contract, and Karri Ramo will be the goaltending duo. Riku Helenius, who made his NHL debut Friday in relief of Smith, will be sent to AHL Norfolk where he will start the next several games. It is unclear whether McKenna or Ramo will start against the Islanders. General manager Brian Lawton said Smith, who is out with an upper body injury, could join the team Wednesday in Pittsburgh. "He's only a couple days away," Lawton said.

Comments

[BrianB23]

PD needs a job, or a life. Something...

[PD]

Sure Randy C..just talk to the guy sitting next to you.

What do you think the walk up crowd is to a Bolt game mid week?

9500 at best are pre-sold
simple math

[Randy C]

PD, can you get me some of these free tickets? I'd love to get to more games.

[PD]

Translation problem only Flasher , you say 80% full, agreed.

I say 60% paid.

[Boltflasher]

None of that is necessary PD...we are honorable men and women I hope. I take you just on your word just as I expect to be taken on my word, such as when I say the building was 80% full when I was there, it was...

[PD]

Flasher I think that you can follow it back from source of that IP address ie Internet provider.

All the blogs are recorded..

I'll swear on a bible and have it notarized if our friend coughs up the money for charity.

[Boltflasher]

PD, if I blogged from a different computer such as work as I am now as I am working late, it would be a different I.P address. Checking the IP addresses would neither prove or disprove anything, only that they were differing I.P. addresses....I think you know that....

[PD]

Well Ajax/Coach Bill I am not two people and my previous bet offer stands.
Lets make it $500 to Damien’s favorite charity
Have the SPT Webbers check out the source..

Put up or shut up.

BTW I left a note to Ignatz today that was snark, I guess that fooled you.

Ajax take your toys and go home if you want.

It’s more likely the case that you have been absolutely wrong on the management, players and finances of this club from day 1 and now don’t like to be reminded.

[ajax]

Haven't posted in two days and still getting insulted by PD?ignatz/Bear. I don't have much interest in the blog anymore, will choose to talk to real fans at the game. I don't think it is any coincidence in the least that PD and Ignatz talk back and forth all day. It is what has destroyed this blog. Is Ignatz real??? couldn't possibly be two people in the world who think exactly alike and type exactly alike. I have read blogs of Ignatz on the Buc website. Identical, 110% same mindset, thought process, exact sentences of PD. Calling the GM a puppet. Bashing owners, coaches players etc for ever. I know PD.... meet me and put up the money. I could very easily bring a buddy and say he was anyone I wanted him to be. I have a desktop and a laptop in my house so I could post twice as well as anyone could. Everyone at the wall finds it amazing that at 9am or 1pm or 11pm or 2am that time after time PD and Ignatz post within minutes of each other. Like I said, the blog isn't even about hockey anymore, Its about conspiracies and liars and backstabbers and snake oil and ahhhhhhhhh........no thanks. The one/two people who dominate the blog are two Lightning haters. Damien would do all of us a great big favor by blocking them...but then "Bear" would be back.... Poop smells like poop no matter how it is disguised. And one last time, what is it with demanding an apology from everyone PD....that sounds so self absorbed. So childish. When you insult people it is usually, their fault for being blind, but still, it is an insult. Any idea how many people would love to hear "I am sorry" from you??? Self absorbed people tend to think their opinions are more relevent. They tend to dramatize and exaggerate to get their views across. Anyone that disagrees with them usually just can't handle the truth. yeah...come to think of it...self-absorbed is really a good description. PD/Ignatz hopefully one day you will be on the blog all by yourself/ves. You will finally have one person to agree with you. You stated "a healthy relationship with most" PD that is the height of your love for yourself. No one would miss you for even a second. Everyone is just alot nicer than you and can show some class. To get on a Lightning blog and insult the whole organization day after day, and think you are doing all of us a favor with your intellectual superiority and insite???...that is the definition of a person who totally misses..."life" And by the way...you stated they let go a qualified GM in Feaster. Let me remind you Bear, you hated Feaster when he had the Lightning logo on his blazer. Just like Palace and Torts and Richards and everything "Lightning"

[Coach Bill]

ignatz- I'm Coach Bill. That's who I think I am. I'm standing up for my friends who you insult. I don't think it belongs on this blog, so I voiced my opinion. Am I not allowed to do that?
You are frequently negative and insulting. What's up with that? I do agree with you on most of your points but wonder why day after day you feel the need to discredit the Lightning.
Thanks for considering me pious and pontifical, although my wife would give you an argument there.

[Boltflasher]

No, actually, the Flat Earth Society was pretty funny. Thanks for the comments coach. PD, as Bear, apologized a long ways back and he's been a bit more civil with me. Ignatz, however, needs to show he can post with some savvy as opposed to just calling everyone an imbecile....any imbecile can do that...

[PD]

Ignatz, what are we having for lunch?
Greater minds need to know.

[PD]

Coach Bill I don't make it a point to insult people here, I enjoy the give and take.

If you think that I am someone else then man that's your issue.

Maybe you think that two versions of that alternate really pointing out that the Bolts are in the toilet can't possibly exist in the real Bolt world.

Frankly My saying Flasher should be in the flat earth society has no bearing on you. Flasher and I have gone back and forth for years and I guarantee he took that as a good natured shot not a personal insult coach.

That's a little over the top on your part, don't you think.

I consult to the restaurant/entertaiment vertical and do some consulting with the chambers in Sarasota and Jax

I can multi task.

[ignatz]

Coach Bill---who the hell are you to be so pious and pontifical? Maybe you belong in the Vatican but not on this blog.

[Coach Bill]

PD just posted you a long answer and it disappeared. Hope it comes back.

[Coach Bill]

PD- Many of us think you and ignatz are the same person. I hope for your sake you're not. Yesterday you told Flasher he belongs in the flat earth society. It sounded pretty insulting to me. Also, if you are ignatz, there was a reference to Mike that he's an imbecile. If that's not you, then you don't deserve that association and I would truly be sorry (only you know if it's not you). Now can we drop it?
PS-now that I got you here, what do you do for a living, man? You are on this site all day, all night every day. You must have a great job. And do you really live in Toronto? And are you ever coming down here? The Wall would a jumping place. Don't worry, we can handle Ajax(I think).

[PD]

Coach Bill you strongly inferred that I was two people.

Who did I insult?
Clarify??

I called one of Brits statements moronic a few days ago, not her, and I apologized on my own.

[Coach Bill]

Pd et.al-I merely asked you to stop with the name calling and insults. Those of us that know each other via. HHs or meetings at the Wall really enjoy our comradship.
You are often very negative to the Lightning. Agree? And that's ok, because you have often come through with very infomative and insightful comments.
In response to your last post;
1) I can't speak for Ajax at all. Although I've met him and sat with him and his mom and I can tell you that bhe is a very funny guy and very friendly. And classy too- remember when he went out of his way to wish you a Merry Christmas?
2)" Use my connections at the SPT"- PD, I hate to break this to you but I don't have any connections at the SPT. I'm just a fan who loves hockey.
3)And now you want ME to give YOU an apology? Sure thing,PD. But for what am I apologizing? For being friendly with you for 2 years? For inviting you to my house to stay with us and go to a game? Let's just drop it friend.

[Randy C]

Coach Bill, I am glad that I got a chance to meet you. In your posts you have shown the class and patience with all you have conversed with. You have welcomed all into this family of Lightning lovers with no questions asked. I would hope that PD/Iggy would do what you have asked them to do to all that he has felt the need to go after.

[Casper]

Okay I’m faithfully convinced PD is not the identical person as the ignoramousnatz, wiggy, agatha, //, et al.

I humbly apologize to you, PD and wouldn’t be adverse to buying you the first two rounds of beer at a future game. If you come up from Sarasota and I come over from Melbourne, we can pick a game to enjoy. Preferably not against the Bruins, because watching a big kid beat up on a little kid just, riles me.

Let me put the collective counter-ranting toward you another way; we miss the old Bear and his astute observations of the game.

You see, this blog is like a poker game. Bloggers are free with their thoughts like a fool is with their money. (That’s me all over!) You are hedging your bets and criticizing folks for their absence of financial savvy. That’s cool, but has gotten a tad old for the regular players to deflect vitriol.

Somebody get Ajax out of bed and tell him PD posted a non-negative comment on February 4, 2009 at 9:20 am, and I am in total agreement.

Thanks man, and once again I am sorry for the misreading.

That ‘natz character is the one who should be spitting teeth though…

Go Bolts!

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

PD
North City always have advantage for hockey

But i like my chances with vegas hehe

The cowboys in tampa are not making the right decision but all and all i think the lightning will be better next year they need to rebuilt the defence i think, they have offence vinny will be there for 11 years on july 1st
so he can concentrate on hockey and not be in trade rumor

[Casper]

Coach, you will never hear/read any sort of contrition from that person.

Only crickets.

Crickets and bile. Bile frothing up for the next rant because that is what unhappy people do. The recalcitrant are very strident in their beliefs and will never let go.

If you separate the pudnatz and think back, check ignatz’ post with past losers such as ‘wiggy’, ‘agatha’, and a few others who have misspelled Damian’s last name as ‘Cristodoro’, you’ll see a pattern of vitriolic abuse.

This person has consistently abused the Lightning Strikes by-laws on the left side of this page.
Hmph, laws are meant for other people, obviously!
The editor wields the leverage to zap the IP address of this chronic, but chooses to do naught and the pudnatz knows it.

So, you may think about re-directing your question because it’s a waste of time to read or elicit a polite or positive response from pudnatz. He/she is too far gone.
They get their jollies poking at a ‘bear’ that can’t see them or stretch their lapels and modify some of their orthodonture.

It’s a shame too, I used to agree quite frequently once upon a year, when cogent reflections were the norm for this person; but things for that person have gone down the tubes. If they wish to vent their spleen here, fine.
We have choices.

After last night, I think pudnatz could almost get a chorus going about the effort to win.

Don’t mail it in, guys. Go hard on every shift!

Go Bolts!

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

good game for the habs yesterday but and there is a (but)

i dont think the montreal canadien is equipe for the playoff

lets see if Gainer move on trade

Sad game yesterday in tampa :(

Go bolts !

[PD]

Marki a second team in Toronto would become the 3rd most valuable team in the league.

A team in Vegas would become Tampa

[PD]

Talkie I agree on Isles..time has past them by.
They need a new arena, but can't get it passed.

[PD]

Coach Bill since I have posted here for a couple of years and maintained a healthy relationship with you and most , maybe you can offer me an apology about insults and your alter ego crap.

Where's that that coming from Ajax?

I suggest you use yuor connections at the SPT and check out the entries and their origins and get back to me with a clarification of your comments.

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

Talkie

Your Right in the word of Monopoly
past go and collect 200$ Habs have Monopoly in QC

for Quebec City that would not be my pick they dont even have an arena for the NHL, pepsi center is to old

But i Do mist our big Rival the Nordiques hehe

All and all if i have to buy a NHL franchise has crazy has it sound i would
pick Las Vegas nevada but it would be a big risk in the dessert lollll

Bold i know

[Coach Bill]

PD / ignatz-
What's up with this alterego of yours? Why do you post notes to each other if you're the same person? Just curios. Would appreciate an answer.
Also why the insults and name calling? Refering to Mike 13 and boltflasher as imbeciles and ostriches may be funny to you, but they don't really sit well with me. (FYI- Boltflasher is a hospice pharmacist and a wonderful man. I sit with him frequently. He never badmouths anyone. Mike 13 is a young guy married with kids your kids' ages. He is also a great young man).
And,PD, why are you and your alterego posting 8 times during "our" game when "your"team.the Leafs, is playing into overtime at Florida?
PD - you and I have always maintained a healthy relationship. I've invited you to my house to stay in Fla. for a free vacation and go to a game with me. I'd like to continue that connection. Sooo... here's what I'd like you to do. Please apologize to Mike and Flasher. Say you were just kidding. It would show you have some class and all would be well (at least with me).Also unless you're a psycho, and I sure hope not, especially for your kids' sake, drop your alterego. What do you think, PD?

[hockeytalkie]

so if 15,000 is the perfect size for an nhl arena you are saying that in most markets league-wide that's about all it CAN draw consistently?

as i've stated before WIN does not have a high average income, nor does it have any large corporations to back it/prop it up.

as for QC, another small town. i'm sure they adore their hockey, but can they afford it? besides, the provincial gvt showed who the red-headed step child was when QC asked for help and got a big fat "no" back in 1995. don't you think the habs enjoy their monopoly on the province.

btw. attendance on the island tonight... looked like tampa back in 2000. virtually no one in the lower bowl. announced at 9,800 (they all must have sat upstairs). pd you should be at their blog. attendance-wise NYC already appears to have 2 teams too many. ah, but they have corporations w/usd.

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

i know they want a franchise since the jets got sold its and option but not
a number one pick for a franchise owner

let see if you where to buy a team and place it anywhere where will be your first pick city ? money wise

pick one place

[PD]

Markie how many teams in the SE put 15500 paid into the arena regularly?

MTS is a beautifull brand new NHL ready arena and is actually the perfect size for an NHL team.

Creates a hot, high revenue ticket

they would easily sell out/

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

hmmmm looks good but
they would have to sell out often at 15000 places
hard but not imposible
still think that winnipeg is not the 1st choice for a franchise owner wise

End of 2
Mtl 3 Pit 1

we are dealing right now let see the 3

[PD]

Marki the Jets would sell out at much higher ticket prices, while they did a refit on MTS.

TV and Corporate would triple a SE team.

See this website to see how commited they are:
http://www.jetsowner.com/

[PD]

Barrie also told Forbes, Bolts would increase revenue by 18-20 million this year vs last.
He just didn't tell them it would be red ink not black.

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

MTS Center

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

PD

Winnipeg to small for NHL team i think

15000 to 15500) max capacity MST center manitoba

MTL 2 PIT 1

Price is solid tonight will see

[ignatz]

Len Barrie pre-season's prediction: "guaranteed" playoff spot.

Tonight from Barrie interview: "We hope to make it interesting."

[PD]

Agree Ignatz,SPT can't even play it straight with the news on the ballistic goalie injury.

[PD]

agree, no on Seattle and Portland

Ontario, Quebec City and Winnipeg.
123

[ignatz]

You think you will get the straight scoop from the beat writer on a newspaper with no ethics? Who pays to have their name on the building? Who is laying off workers? Who is cutting coverage? Yeah, that would be a great news source.

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

10:55 TBL Vincent Lecavalier : Fighting (maj) - 5 min

what the hell ?

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

second team in toronto hmmm not sure
bettman always had to go no matter what
hehe

MTL 1 PIT 1

close game

[Boltflasher]

I have relatives in Seattle and visit there often. They have no facility for NHL hockey and could not even get the financing together to build an NBA capable arena to keep the Sonics there, one of the better NBA franchises...Portland is even smaller than Seattle...I agree on Quebec and a 2nd team in Toronto if they (the NHL)wanted to make it work...flip a coin between Phoe, Atl...

[PD]

Agree Marki, every one of those markets would run in black ink.

A second team in Toronto would instantly become the 3rd most valuable franchise in the league.

The NHLPA knows, most know.

Bettman has to go.

[Marki Mark and the funky bunch]

PD
Moving four of the most troubled teams (Seattle, Portland, Quebec City or Ontario all seem to guarantee success) and folding a couple might be the best option because contraction, as history has shown, isn't a dirty word.

Sad world for TB
sun toronto post comment

[Boltflasher]

The ATL problems are reported in their own major newspaper with current direct quotes from the team's management and ownership about their situation. Find me an equivalent article..not in the Caymans, Toronto, Canada or someplace 1000 or more miles away....and also show me your brilliance without having to resort to name calling...

[ignatz]

Boltflasher's posts smack of a management lackey. Only an ostrich and Jumbotron-favorite Hockey Chic would deny what is the obvious--this ownership lacks money and brains.

[Sean O]

Smitty doesnt have much help,he is clearly the best goalie we have had here for years. but he cant do everything himself. on another note i heard the lightning girls will be signing calendars at winemall on hillsborough ave thursday night, anyone form the blog going? http://www.localwineevents.com/Tampa-Wine/event-226860.html

[PD]

Flasher you are the one that should be in the flat earth society if you think that Tampa isn't going down the financial toilet.

The denying here is almost comical.

Here is a well researced article out today on the teams that will be bought out and mercy killed or relocated.
Yes mama Tampa is on the list big time.

Point to Atlanta or stick your head in the sand, who cares? No one is making it up.

The dominos are teetering. TV ratings have dropped 21% in Tampa, the most of any NHL club this season. The owners are on their third coach and also fired Jay Feaster, a qualified general manager.

Unless your name is Bettman, this situation makes Winnipeg or Quebec City look like hockey heaven.

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/columnists/bill_lankhof/2009/02/03/8243026-sun.html

[Coach Bill]

Oscar- don't think so. If I can remember right (fat chance), I think it was a visiting player and he really lost it. I don't remember Gump Worsley ever suffering anything like that, because after New York, he went Leo ville where he continued to be a great NHL goalie.