4/21/2006

E.C.Q. — Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators (game 1) open thread

By John @ 4:04 pm
Filed under: Game Threads, Playoffs


The Defense starts now.

Fans of both teams are welcome to comment, but keep it civil. Flaming, trolling or other disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

113 Responses to “E.C.Q. — Tampa Bay Lightning at Ottawa Senators (game 1) open thread”

  1. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 6:02 pm

    Home from work, finally. Just started listening to the “Unleash the Lightning!” third period CD.

    One hour to go.

    I’m about to get so strung out and pumped…Jesus. Hope the neigbors aren’t too sensitive.

    Let’s light this bottle rocket.

  2. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 6:31 pm

    I want to put the season completely behind me tonight… I want to see proof this is truly the Second Season for the Bolts.

    We’re officially in Pregame!

  3. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 6:34 pm

    Tale of two coaches:

    Brian Murray skated his players really hard this morning

    John Tortorella had an optional practice.

  4. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 6:52 pm

    Well, there was the busing to the practice arena, in uniform, by the Lightning. Like a peewee team.

    But Torts sounded confident and relaxed in the interview clip I heard on the way home. Which is about where the team needs to be, IMHO.

    I’ll be doing the usual muted TV, Mish on the radio thing. Espo is supposed to be on with David.

    But no HD anywhere. Why? Is this too technologically difficult, FSN/SUN? Meh.

  5. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 6:53 pm

    this selective stats stuff from SunSPorts is bothering me

    Comparing the teams (TB — the last 16 games, OTT — the last 13) with varying periods of time does not support the image they are trying to provide of hope.

  6. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 6:55 pm

    You got a good point on the HD Hinch — I mean, this is the type of games they are SUPPOSED to be covering in High Def. because it’s a signature matchup (it’s the bloody playoffs!)…

  7. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 6:59 pm

    gotta make a self plug here guys and gals —

    If you come on the thread and are participating in open chat thread, can you do me a favor and click on the Google Ad at right? It’s the most passive way I can ask you to help support Boltsmag…

    Thanks a bunch.

  8. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:04 pm

    Hey JF: You said trolling wouldn’t be tolerated… trolling for click-throughs doesn’t qualify then, eh? ;) Just kidding, bro.

  9. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:09 pm

    Boy, I hate spam!

    Kidding. Just clicked through all the ads a couple times. WIll continue to do so.

  10. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:12 pm

    Thanks Hinch
    It’s go time!

  11. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:13 pm

    Keystone Kops. Did you check out the Tampa Bay collission in their zone?! Ugh Nerves

  12. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:14 pm

    Grahame got super lucky there, eh?

  13. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:16 pm

    Why is Murray bein’ such a whiner?

  14. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:16 pm

    Hey Gary. Condolences on your loss…

    Craig looked super stubborn their in front of Emry

  15. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:17 pm

    With Loverboy coming over the PA in Ottawa, let me be the first to predict an inordinate amount of Rush and Nickelback.

  16. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:17 pm

    I just don’t wanna see Grahame mess up playing a break away this time around (visions of October keep dancing through my head)

  17. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:18 pm

    Yeah, there are some nerves. Graham makes a nice save from his usual position, flat on his face.

    PP not looking so good yet.

  18. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:19 pm

    “With Loverboy coming over the PA in Ottawa, let me be the first to predict an inordinate amount of Rush and Nickelback.”

    :D

  19. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:20 pm

    JF: Thanks re: condolences. Condolences on the Lightning power play. :)

  20. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:21 pm

    There will be time for mourning — and many more instances of it — as we progress.

  21. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:22 pm

    Is it just me or has there only been one sound attack for each team? It seems liek a lot of back and forth with a lot of outside shootin and broken passes.

  22. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:23 pm

    Whole lot of nothing in front of the Sens’ net, more action in front of Grahame. I hate listening to the CBC broadcast… they’re so condescending when talking about the Lightning.

  23. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:27 pm

    Crap penalty.

  24. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:30 pm

    JF / Hinch: They closely track the IPs and timing of click-throughs for the ads and may choose not to honor them, and may even suspend your account for “fraudulent” stuff. Or so I’ve heard.

    Nice kill.

  25. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:31 pm

    wish we had the OLN broadcast here, I wish I knew what they were saying. Probably the same — sucking Ottawa

  26. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:33 pm

    We got Detroit and Edmonton on OLN tonight. Robert Lang scored one for Detroit… and I hate Robert Lang.

  27. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:34 pm

    Lightning D is doin’ pretty good so far. I’m encouraged.

  28. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:36 pm

    Sens dude just got smacked down. Even my fiancee yelled “Oh! PUNKED!”

  29. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:38 pm

    I guess the refs are keeping their whistles in their pockets for the playoffs. I’ve seen at least three interference calls that weren’t.

  30. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:38 pm

    Grahame stopped Alfredsson on the breakaway. Nice, but scary.

  31. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:41 pm

    there was a tripping behind Emry too. Taylor was tripped.

    Lots of great action — but some of the shoving looks really girlish out there.

  32. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:42 pm

    I heard that the league sent a letter to the refs saying, in effect, “Call the playoff games just like the regular season, or you’ll be excused from calling any more playoff games”. I ain’t seein’ it. Maybe it was just PR.

  33. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:44 pm

    Flowerplay Tampa. They won’t call the trip, but they’ll call the Schnoz-hit.

  34. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:44 pm

    Five on three?

  35. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:44 pm

    Funny bone antics will inspire it every time. Scrum at the Ottawa net now.

    This series will not be a tea party.

  36. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:45 pm

    5 on 3

  37. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:45 pm

    SCOOOOORE! 5 on 3!

  38. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:46 pm

    BOOM!

  39. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:46 pm

    And still on the PP

  40. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:47 pm

    Fuck, I missed it!

  41. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:48 pm

    I was upstairs and Erin was watching Detroit b/c we figured it was still in commercial. Yes, we know… we suck.

  42. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:48 pm

    Tic tac toe, Gary. Smooth passes and vinny nails it

  43. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:52 pm

    Don Cherry is such a tool.

  44. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:54 pm

    getting food during intermission

  45. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:55 pm

    What’s Cherry Bomb saying?

  46. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 7:56 pm

    Happy birthday Vinny!

    Well, I was wondering if the Lightning could find another playoff gear, like the team seemed to be counting on through the regular season. I’m not sure if this is it, but they seem to be answering Ottawa’s strengths so far.

    But I haven’t seen the team maintain a high level of output for a full game yet this year. Can they?

    I reckon that’s the question, ain’t it?

  47. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:03 pm

    I will second that question.

    And is it just me or did the Ottawa crowd just die a few minutes before Peter Schaefer’s penalty?

  48. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:11 pm

    Another good PK, with a couple good JG saves. Well.

  49. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:12 pm

    Sorry for my absence, trying to reconnect/reconfigure Erin’s wireless router.

  50. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:13 pm

    excellent PK. They are playing solid… but can’t make any mistakes

    Not in their own end at least.

    Grahame is reminding me of 2002-03 vs. the Devils.

  51. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:15 pm

    You don’t so much as let Artyukhin play as you aim him and unleash him.

    And a post shot! And a OS hooking penalty!

  52. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:15 pm

    Vinny just missed.

    ANother Lightning PP coming up

  53. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:16 pm

    You can’t stop Artoo, Hinch. You can only hope to contain him.

  54. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:17 pm

    OK, grahame has officially impressed me. That SH shot by the Sens REEKED of the play he messed up in October that put him on my shit list.

  55. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:21 pm

    Damn. I’m seeing lots of opportunities for the Lightning…it’s gonna be a low scoring game, and one or two more goals would be handy.

  56. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:26 pm

    23-18 SOG.

    We need insurance. Lots of it. I like hwo we are playing defense but we need to score again….

  57. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:29 pm

    Great D by Kubina

  58. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:33 pm

    Funny, I’ve seen this Lightning team before. I say they don’t score on this PP.

  59. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:36 pm

    Are the Sens having an off nite? Or are the Lightning *making* tham have an off nite?

    Either way, I like what I’m seeing. Maybe it’s just good luck.

  60. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:41 pm

    Good way to describe it — it looks like only one line is playing and we are defending them well.

    But JG is the difference maker

  61. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:43 pm

    WHOA! We were ALL over them just now!

  62. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:45 pm

    end of the 2nd, we’ll start the 3rd with about 1:40-ish left on the Phillips penalty

  63. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:46 pm

    Great 2nd. Back to troubleshooting.

  64. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:47 pm

    Whew. End of the second, TBL start the third with the one-man advantage.

    I still don’t trust JG. I should, but I don’t. He’s played suberbly…but I don’t trust him.

    Crowd in Ottawa seems out of it. Good.

  65. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:51 pm

    Don’t. There’ve been too many games where he has had a slim lead and just goofed up and totally collapsed. You’ve got every right to be skeptical Hinch.

  66. Bolted_Down Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:57 pm

    Hey hey !
    Checkin’ in.
    LET GO LIGHTNING!!!
    They look pretty steady to me. Filling lanes, blocking shots…
    2xFluke cross bar, A shaft of Feds stick, and it’s 4-0 at least!
    3rd coming up!!

  67. Bolted_Down Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 8:59 pm

    *LETS GO LIGHTNING!!!

  68. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:00 pm

    hey BD — nice to see you stop by. They’ve been steady so far, done the basics and hold the lead. That can change in a flash though.

    Lets get some insurance

  69. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:02 pm

    LOL! Nice Juke by Marty to avoid the hit!

  70. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:02 pm

    Have I mentioned that I hate the goddamned Airport base station?

    Oh, yeah, let’s go Lightning!

  71. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:03 pm

    Jeez, this powerplay can’t get over the blue line.

  72. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:05 pm

    fizzle out on the PP…

  73. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:05 pm

    Does it bother anyone else that we’ve only been able to score on a 5 on 3 pp?

  74. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:06 pm

    Ottawa powerplay on Ready Freddy.

  75. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:06 pm

    PP OS. Good sequence, tho.

  76. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:06 pm

    Ottawa PP coming up — Modin 2 minutes

  77. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:06 pm

    JF: Yeah it bothers me, but it doesn’t surprise me.

  78. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:08 pm

    Grahame got left to twist in the wind by the D. Plus, he was on his face.

    Damnit.

  79. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:08 pm

    You could SO see this coming during that PP. Ottawa finally gave a shit.

  80. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:09 pm

    So tied up and the confidence of the first 2 periods falls away

  81. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:09 pm

    Danny Boy just called the ref a fucking asshole. Misconduct on top of the hook?

  82. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:10 pm

    Graham takes a drink. Goddamnit, he was flat on his face again. I don’t know lots about goaltending, but it seems like he goes down early.

  83. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:11 pm

    …as I said, Hinch, you have reason to worry and to be skeptical..

  84. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:11 pm

    Thanks, JG.

    Fuck me.

  85. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:12 pm

    Fuck. Spezza killed some shit… and Grahame… on that shot.

    2-1.

  86. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:12 pm

    Emery should get an assist on that. Tortorella should be embarassed.

  87. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:15 pm

    The tale of the seaosn going on right here. We can’t put away a game. We peppered Emry with 29 shots in the first 2 and get one goal… And now the lead is gone.

    Lots of time left to tie, and we got the PP coming up… But this looks farmiliar.

  88. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:18 pm

    I think that the guys saw how well Grahame was playing and cut the Sens too much slack. Whereas the only reason Grahame was playing so well was because the guys in front of him weren’t so confident in his abilities.

    Ironic, but I’d expect the Bolts to tighten some shit up here in the third.

  89. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:18 pm

    short 5 on 3 and then another PP

  90. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:19 pm

    …

  91. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:19 pm

    Or not. 3-1.

  92. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:19 pm

    Shorthander.

  93. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:20 pm

    Your boy, Richards, got beat along the boards.

  94. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:21 pm

    I would have taken a TO after that 2nd goal and just blasted them to remind them who they are and the last two period. “Get your heads out of your asses!”

    2 periods of solid play and then…… PBBBBBBFFFFFFFFTTTTTT!

  95. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:24 pm

    I don’t know what to say. Are they tired? Are they undisciplined? Or, do they just not have it?

  96. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:25 pm

    Same old story…their game chages with a lead. It isn’t Tort’s idea, the players just decide to slack off.

  97. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:25 pm

    Shit’s just sloppy.

  98. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:28 pm

    They’re back on their heels now, and can’t do a damned thing.

    Ten-second shifts seems to be the only way to keep them from dogging down.

  99. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:28 pm

    “Complacent” is probably the word that best defines this slack job.

  100. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:31 pm

    How many odd-man rushes have the Lightning given up this game?

    Answer: I don’t know… but too goddamned many.

  101. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:33 pm

    Did you just see that weak-ass shit on the blueline? Nobody on the puck but a Bolt, and still can’t clear it… breakaway.

    This is a massacre.

  102. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:34 pm

    Tale of the season, Gary. I don’t know what hte deal is but it’s the tale of the season with the odd man rushes.

  103. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:34 pm

    Hey guys, let’s call interference only after the Senators have a two-goal lead.

    Do I sound like the Chief?

    My bad.

  104. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:36 pm

    Richards got beat again, this time shorthanded.

  105. Hinch Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:38 pm

    Feh. See ya’ll Sunday!

  106. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:38 pm

    “Your failure is complete, Young Skywalker…”

  107. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:39 pm

    Hrm, they pulled Grahame… about an hour after they should have.

    What a shit game they played tonight. I’m disgusted.

  108. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:43 pm

    The collapse gets me, and gets me real bad. Who are they? A bunch of rookies? Is this Pittsburgh? Is this (no offense inteded, Gary) Washington? Give me a break…

  109. Marsha Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:47 pm

    Hi guys–glued to the set after my dinner party crew left–told em they could stay & watch da game or leave fast! I am going back and forth on this one–were we controlling periods 1 & 2, or just hanging in there? IMHO Grahame had a few terrific saves–better than most I’ve seen. Vinny L got unlucky with that crossbar. We caved in period 3 like last game against the Sens. You guys should lay off Kubina (not “Poobina”) because he stepped up his game. Glad this fan site respects Bradmaster Richards–he was the only Bolt that went with the Senators on that fatal breakaway. But I’m worried!

  110. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 9:52 pm

    Kubina did play well…

    I can’t believe one goal tanked our confidence like that.

  111. Gary Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 10:38 pm

    No offense taken, JF. The Caps regularly play with more heart than the Bolts did tonight. And Kubina played great tonight with the one exception of that hugely wide slide. No Poobina tonight… but don’t you agree that’s a pretty cool name for when he makes stupid mistakes?

    It’s not my fault his surname is fecal-friendly. ;)

  112. John F. Says:
    April 21st, 2006 at 10:59 pm

    …No comment ;)

  113. Andrew Says:
    April 22nd, 2006 at 10:10 am

    “I can’t believe one goal tanked our confidence like that.”

    Sens fan here…

    For the first two period Ottawa looked tense, nervous, and ready to collapse at any second. We’ve done so poorly in the postseason in the past, and expectations are sky-high.

    When Marty scored they, and I think every Sens fan, breathed a huge sigh of relief. The players visibly loosened up, started making passes, and looked far more like the dominating team that I’ve watched all year. It wasn’t that the Bolts gave up (far from it, until 3-1)… it’s just that Ottawa started playing their game instead of worrying about expectations.

    If either of those crossbar shots had found the back of the net, I think you guys would have won, hands down.