Another site note here at Boltsmag: You’ll notice a (ugly, misaligned) calendar on the left hand sidebar where the Poll usually is located. This is due to be an all-purpose calendar for the site — not only will it display days where I posted, but also show upcoming events in red. I want to get the calendar to look right before programming in every event (game days, deadlines, etc).

Believe it or not, I’m not dead, maimed, brainwashed or any other malignant thing…. well, that’s subjective (lazy can be termed as malignant, can’t it?).

At any rate, I’m currently working behind the scenes here at Boltsmag after upgrading it to the latest version of Wordpress. Those who actually are on the site (hi Tiny) may run into a few problems or speed bumps or what not. Pleas let me know if you do run into a conflict (note — a conflict with me not keeping the site up to date during the season doesn’t count :-p ).

Thanks

Update: Mind the error codes, will you?

And I’m now aware the Lightning Wallpaper page isn’t quite working. Why doesn’t anyone kvetch to me when these things break?

Update #2: I’d like to announce an official Archives page has been added to the site. I need to make some changes around here so that the Archive page shows up in the title menu…

Welcome one and all to Boltsmag.com - Tampa Bay Lightning Weblog.

For all who come across the site, it is in no way related to the previous Boltsmag, which was overseen by Eric Keaton and part of the now demised Rivals.com network. It’s simply a place for sounding off about the Lightning, the NHL, and presenting a fan view of the coolest game on ice.

I’m hoping that this site will show that there is support for Southern Hockey, which is routinely put down in various hockey-circles I come across. The Tampa Bay market is the premiere southern US market for Hockey. Yes, we’ve been to hell and back with regards to what the Lightning has gone through over the years - three owners (one of mysterious background, one of football background and currently an arena/sports professional), four 50+ loss seasons in a row, 3 venues (from the barn-like Expo Hall, to the Baseball-stadium-in-waiting Thunderdome, to Ice Palace / St. Pete Times Forum (AKA the Times Palace) ]…

But it’s the trials and tribulations that define fans and how devote an area is to a team.

My name is John Fontana and I hope that you find the information here interesting and informative.

My colleague on the site, Keith Short, contributes on occasion in his own “The View From Canada” column to give a view of the National Hockey League and events from a more informed perspective.

The Domains which Boltsmag can be reached on are www.boltsmag.com and www.rawlightning.com