While Boltsmag is no longer updating (for blog posts about the Lightning, check out Raw Charge), I did need to post this graphic — five years late — for superstition sake…

Five years ago, I had this “The Wall” graphic updated with every game played in the Cup playoffs. Every game, a new notch was put up. Though it should have only been victories (I was young and stupid! Forgive me!), I notched every game – win or lose.

Some people blamed lack of updates on loses the Bolts suffered in the Eastern Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Finals. This made me more responsible in updating said-graphic. After the Bolts won the Cup in 2004 — I neglected to update the graphic once again to register the 7th and final game.

This is my attempt to rectify that situation and perhaps throw off a jinx that the Bolts have had since:

Young Nicholas learned, on his summer vacation, that you should phear Dan Boyle:

Photo taken at the Shots draft party on Saturday. Credit Boltsmag reader Marsha for the picture

Two years to the day, we were kings of the world.

Goodbye to Lord Stanley’s Cup, which will be loved and nurtured by a new host in the coming days… Yet Tampa’s title reign will always be something the fans will take with them.

I couldn’t help but post one final shot from 2004. Much thanks to Sharon Loe for permission to use her photograph taken on that magical night.

My good friend Sharon was kind enough to send me a link to several photographs she took at Training Camp. There are 30-odd pictures… Take a look and enjoy.

EDITEdited the link – don’t know if it will work or not… Shutterfly is not a good hosting company.

With thanks to Sharon Loe, here’s alink to photos from the Stanley Cup Sandsculture today.

Long time Bolts season ticket holder and Internet Lightning icon Sharon Loe has been putting up some of her personal pictures of the Lightning working out and playing on the Hockey Photo Project. Register and give her soem props…

Vincent Lecavalier with AK Barz Kazan

Doug Giravin once again does me a service and sends me two articles from the Montreal Gazette. The first of which happens to be Vincent Lecavalier’s day with the Stanley Cup

Read it all..

Here’s an open request for links to various photo galleries on the web that host pictures from the playoffs / from the championship and the aftermath. I know a lot of people are still looking for photos and I’d love to point out where to go to find different snap shots of different events.

First off, with what I have already — Tampabaylightning.com posted 10 “aftermath” shots from game 7. The first picture is the sweetest — Dave sipping form the Cup.

The second game 7 gallery is from the St. Petersburg Times (which offers a whole playoff-long photo gallery list)3 Nothing besides game photos on this one.

Webshot’s hockey community has images from the victory parade.. Hard to recognize anyone and the photos are of the players more than the Parade itself.

Of course we can’t forget our friends (sic) at the Tampa Tribune who put out a flash gallery of photos from the victory parade.

Neil Hughes of Rev.log sent me his directory of Game 7 Photos that he’s collected off the net. They are a ton of great high definition pictures of mostly post-game stuff. Some in-game photos are included.

You got a source for more photos? Anyone have a source of some from Game 7? Drop me a line or post on the comments and I will update this post accordingly.

A couple of years ago, when the Lightning were stumbling through mediocrity (oh how the times have changed :wink) there were reports every so often about the Lightning seeking a new logo because the team crest wasn’t an item that could really be used as a marketable item.

The search started under the ownership tenure of Art Williams (see some concepts from the St. Petersburg Times during that era)….

….and was picked up by the Palace Sports crew after they took over a year later. There was actually a logo that the Lightning were going to use as an alternate logo during their 10th anniversary season (if it was to be on an alternate jersey or a main jersey remains to be seen) but the logo was rejected. It was trademarked however and stumbled upon by guys on a logo forum.

It was also reported in Sports Business Journal that the Lightning, under the Palace Sports tenure, had been looking at logos “….featuring palm trees and other Florida themes.”

Personally I thinkt he Lightnign are fine with the crest logo. Some feel that it’s old school and what not… Personally I would not mind an alternate logo or just an alternate jersey. Nothing complex — change the main jersey color to blue with black and white highlights and run the lightning bolt alone on the jersey — from shoulder to hem. The team coudl use something fresh like that if only for additionl revenue from merchandise sales.

I was also wondering what other people think – from anywhere int he league? Do the Lightning need a fresh logo or a change to their jersey or are they really set the way they are? And do you have a concept in mind? Do you have that artist talent to produce a new logo? If anyone woudl like to send me their concpet, I’d be happy to post it on here and see what others think.

Dear Eric Francis, Calgary Sun reporter who said he saw no signs of support for the Lightning in Tampa:

You must be blind —

Much thanks to Sharon Loe for the image.

You get a shot at one (or two) of the 200 tickets sold at 8 dollars each if you get to Times Palace early….

I mean REAL early.

The St. Petersburg Times has a great look at the wait for tickets, starting some 33 hours before gametime.

I’ve heard some criticism from opposing teams fans about “having” to offer 8 dollar tickets (a scant few at the very top of the arena) There’s nothing we “Have” to do by offering these tickets. They offer these tickets for those who can’t afford to buy full priced tickets. Especially during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Some say this is a sign that Southern Hockey is weak.. But let me ask you this, if any team north of Tampa offered a scant few 8 dollar tickets to games – would people harp? Or would they more than likely herald the team for offering tickets at a low price for disadvantaged and priced-out fans?

Pro Sports aren’t supposed to be only affordable to the rich… And Hockey especially needs to make itself more affordable to students, families and minorities…

A scant few cheap seats that generates a load of PR and team exposure do a damn nice job… Too bad the rest of the league doesn’t realize this. (not saying other teams don’t offer cheap seats — but to keep offering them during playoff time is unheard of).

Taken from VKMHVM2 on an Islanders vs Lightning thread

Well, at least they are being creative in their suffering.

“Thunderdome” circa 1996

St. Pete Times Forum, AKA Ice Palace, AKA Times Palace — 2004 Playoffs

Things of beauty — sold out arenas and hockey…