Bolts Still In Overtime Purgatory

Overtime has not been kind to the Lightning.

I know it’s only preseason. I know it shouldn’t matter, but the Lightning have continued a disturbing trend from last years dismal season…losing in extra time. For the third time in five preseason games the Bolts lost in extra time. The Coyotes Peter Mueller won it in the third round of the shootout, beating Lightning goalie Antero Niittymaki. Phoenix4, Tampa Bay 3.

As the game went to overtime, the familiar butterflies fluttered in my stomach and that Gazoo-like voice in my head said, “Oh no, here we go again!”

Last season, the team from Tampa lost a league high 18 games in extra time, twice as many as the league average.

Coach Rick Tocchet played his stars last night and Ryan Malone, Steven Stamkos and Vincent Lecavalier responded with goals.

Antero Niitymaki played very average between the pipes, stopping 26 shots in 60 minutes of play. He gave up two goals in the shootout.

Steve Downie seems to be winning the race to skate on Vinny’s line. He had a solid all around game, highlighted by a cross-ice pass from his knees to Lecavalier for a goal.

The Bolts travel to Winnipeg tonight to play the Edmonton Oilers.

For those of you in Tampa, the game will be televised on the NHL Network (Brighthouse Network channel 808), beginning at 8:30 PM.

The ownership circus continues:

According to the St. Pete Times, “ It appears Oren Koules is in the best position to maintain at least a piece of the team, having recruited and now partnered with Los Angeles real estate billionaire Jeff Greene. Greene, 55, whose primary residence is Miami Beach, has applied for NHL ownership and has said he wants to be majority owner. He said he would keep Koules as a minority partner. Greene’s best line: “I don’t need financing” to buy out Barrie and retire a substantial amount of the debt held by former owner Palace Sports & Entertainment, which financed about $97 million (including $30 million in operating capital) of OK Hockey’s $200 million purchase of the team.”

The only positive to come of this situation is that the coaching staff and players seem unaffected by this fiasco.

The Phoenix situation is dominating the NHL headlines and the Lightning organization is avoiding more embarrassment…for now.

Hey Boltheads! What’s your take on the ownership tug of war?