Scratches and Slovakia

Is it wrong that I get a sick enjoyment from knowing that Nick Tarnasky will no longer be wearing a Lightning sweater? I get even more enjoyment knowing that he got sent to the Predators with a bum thumb, and we received a conditional draft pick in 2009. Farewell Tarnasky. You can go instill your lack of personality to Nashville now.

Today's game against Slovakia should be an interesting one, considering the scratch list for it. Ryan Malone, Paul Ranger, Olaf Kolzig, David Koci, Janne Niskala, Michel Ouellet and Gary Roberts. Ouellet is apparently on waivers and isn't even practicing with the team. Scandal? More to come on this game later when it's actually over and done with.

In other sports news, the Chicago Blackhawks placed Nikolai Khabibulin on waivers! As of right now, the other NHL clubs have 24 hours to claim him off waivers before his rights revert back to the Blackhawks. I think any team would be stupid not to jump on getting the Bulin Wall as their goaltender. Injuries or no injuries, he's still a Stanley Cup winner.

It's the final countdown.

For anyone who thought that Christmas was the most wonderful time of the year, you were clearly mistaken. The most wonderful time of the year is the beginning of hockey season. Between the team changes in line up, and the anticipation of the first game - I can barely contain myself! More so, I can barely keep up with all of the things that are happening as of late. With Vinny being named captain and two wins this pre-season, things are looking up for the Lightning who had the sword of Damocles hanging over them for a while.

Let's start off with last night's game. Somehow I was lucky enough to sit 8 rows from the glass and now my life will never be the same. Actually, now I've just been spoiled and can't imagine sitting any further back. The sound the boards make when Arty slams up against them is pretty freaking amazing. Enough about my seats though, let's discuss Steve Stamkos. High five to him for scoring his first goal wearing the Tampa Bay Lightning sweater, which came to him in a power play during the second period. The other goals came from Marty (yay!) and Ryan Craig (double yay!). Have I conveyed how happy I am that Ryan Craig is back from being injured, signed with a nice contract, and playing again? So happy that I took about 40 pictures of him while at Icefest, because I'm clearly creepy. Don't worry, I'll be posting the good ones later! I hate to admit it, but Smith was on his game last night. Truthfully, I felt the Ranger's outplayed the Lightning but Smith really stuck with the net and totalled 38 saves. A win is a win though, and it felt good. Especailly since I really hate the Rangers. I shouldn't since I'm from New York, but I just can't help it.

Now with three games done, the Lightning camp roster has been reduced by six. Peace out to Ty Wishart, Paul Szczechura, Riku Helenius and Radek Smolenak who were assigned to training camp with Norfolk and Dana Tyrell was assigned to Prince George of the WHL. I'll miss Smolenak the most because he had a really good face. I know this from having my face to the glass on Sunday watching them practice. Remember earlier how I said I'm creepy? Yeah, that still stands.

I have about 37 other things I desperately want to blog about, but unfortunately - it's that time of the morning where I need to actually get ready for work. Don't worry kiddies, I'll be back with more!

Coming to a blog near you...

Within the next few days, you'll be seeing a re-vamped Femmes & Fisticuffs with a lot of juicy information in preperation for the regular season! Keep checking back!

Barry chews ice.

Last night it was brought to my attention over Purple Haze beer, and pizza at Old Chicago that Barry Melrose chews ice. I'm trying to figure out why this is pertinent information, or why my fella even made this observation. Right now, I'm going to put this out in Lightning blog land and maybe you can come up with reasons as to why Melrose is an ice chewer. My best friend said he was sexually frustrated. Her theory could be right. I can't imagine that mullet is a big draw in for the ladies. All I really know is that Barry chews his ice during games.

Roster tweaking.

Is it just me or does it seem like Filip Kuba and Alexandre Picard got punked this off season? Granted, their heads were on the chopping block earlier during the draft, but I'm sure they thought they were in the clear since nothing actually was official. Don't get too comfy boys, you're getting shipped to Ottawa! In comes defenseman Andrej Meszaros, who I really do hope will fill the lack of defense we have on the team since the Boyle/Lukowich trade. At least the Lightning are working their way down in age with this player rather than working their way up. CoughcoughRobertscoughcough. I'll tell you what though, the 22 year old does have great credentials. He's played 246 consecutive games and logs an average of 21 minutes on the ice. He ended the season with Ottawa having 36 points under his belt, nine of which were from goals. With pre-season games starting in just a few weeks (yay!), I wonder if it's safe to say that the Lightning are finally finished tweaking the roster.