Hockey Bay Happenings

The Lightning is 19-20-10 with 48 points. They are 4th in the Southeast Division with 127 goals scored and 154 goals against.

The Bolts’ power play percentage is 18.91, while the league average is 18.61. Their penalty kill percentage is 79.40, while the league average is 81.34.

Tampa Bay is four points out of the last playoff spot, with five teams vying for the last post season position.

The team held a team meeting after their embarrassing loss to the Rangers. Captain Vincent Lecavalier reported that the meeting was not a screaming match, but instead, was a calm look at video citing the many Bolt mistakes. Maybe someone, err the captain should stand up and be brutally honest about the teams play of late….Read it at TBO.com.

The lone Lightning highlight against the Blue Shirts was Ryan Malone’s beat down of  Aaron Voros.

According to the Macomb Daily in Michigan, the Coyotes…err…Lightning have defaulted on the loan made by Palace Sports and Entertainment. The story states that a potential buyer of the Pistons and Lightning is none other than Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch and that the Bolts situation needs to be resolved by the time the deal takes place on February 15. Karen Davidson of Palace Sports and Entertainment has confirmed this.

Damian Cristodero of Lightning Strikes, states that, “Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet didn’t come right out and say rookie defenseman Victor Hedman will be benched for tonight’s game with the Maple Leafs, but it sure sounded like that is what will happen.” Tocchet was soundly criticized last season when he benched rookie Steven Stamkos to give him a mental and physical break. I too jumped all over Tocchet, but later gave credit where credit was due when the move paid off and Stamkos had a monster second half. Hedman has played a ton of hockey in his young life and a couple of days off may do more good than harm at this point.

Lightning goalie Mike Smith skated and took some shots (hopefully not to the head) yesterday. He seems close to returning, but will be a scratch against Toronto tonight. Antero Niittymaki will get the start and young Dustin Tokarski will back him up.

Todd Fedoruk’s right knee is getting better but he still can’t fully push off of it. He’ll remain on IR for a while longer.

If defenseman Paul Ranger makes it back soon, look for Mike Lundin to be sent to Norfolk.

Norfolk/Lightning center Blair Jones won the hardest shot competition at the AHL All-Star Skills Competition with a 100.7 mph zinger.