This Was Fun?

Two Days Ago: Home Team wins with 20 power plays

Panthers 7 – Lightning 0 Florida scored (8 goals, one was taken away) seven goals, six came on the power play and their number one goaltender earned a shutout, you might think that an offense ladened highlight video might be what everyone would be watching, but nope.

In reality the display was more akin to Paul Newman’s 1977 movie “Slap Shot”, each team earned well over 100 PIMs with Tampa Bay topping out with 182 penalty minutes and the Lightning did not even bother to take a shot on goal during the third period.

Watching the thuggery unfold on the ice, I was amazed that there were not more than the 322 PIMs whistled during this game as I witnessed out right two-on-ones, slow moving non-reacting officials to the on-ice violence, just like I did as a teenage in the 1970s.

One might think this a one-off and that it is only the last preseason game with some players desperately trying to make an impact and possible roster spot, but then again…if you look at Tampa Bay’s roster you see a different reason as an explanation for such an overabundance of on-ice violence.

For example, Tampa Bay Lightning (RW) Scott Sabourin who only played 12 NHL games since the 2020/21 season, last night he played one shift for 19 seconds and earned a five minute “match penalty” after a blatant hit to the face/head of a Florida player after a clean hit on the same player just two minutes into the first period.

Another example, Tampa Bay Lightning (D) Roman Schmidt 6″ 5″ 225lbs 22 years old that has never played in the NHL played three shifts last night for all of 2:06 minutes during the first seven minutes of the first period and earned 15 minutes in penalties which included a game misconduct.

Last example, Tampa Bay Lightning (D) Charle-Edouard D’Astous, has played 23 AHL games during the past five seasons, last night he earned 14 penalty minutes and a game misconduct just under three minutes into the second period.

Thankfully preseason is over and tomorrow they begin playing for real, no more donnybrooks or foul play, just explosive offense, solid defensive play, and great goaltending with competent and even handed officiating.