Students weigh in on Lightning’s success – Archive
Written by Crow's Nest Staff, Jan 24, 2011, 0 Comments
Design by Tara McCarty
Greg Lindberg
Sports Editor
Duck and cover. Find a roof and stay under it. Lightning strikes are everywhere.
The Tampa Bay Lightning has enjoyed one of its best seasons thus far in several years. Many students at USF St. Petersburg have taken notice and are excited about the recent success.
“I think the Lightning have exceeded expectations,” said Jordan Gault, a resident assistant in Residence Hall One. Gault believes new GM Steve Yzerman is a major reason for the turnaround and points to the recent trade for veteran goalie Dwayne Roloson and the off-season acquisition of forward Dominic Moore.
“Roloson will provide stability in net since the other goalies haven’t faired too well this season,” he said. “Moore is one of those hard-working guys every team needs. He kills penalties and gets to the front of the net. He’s a great two-way forward.”
New head coach Guy Boucher has also played a large part in the team’s winning ways, Gault said.
“His style of coaching is a perfect fit for the type of players the Lightning has—young and hard-working,” he said.
Jamie Kennedy, a 21-year-old journalism major, has been a huge Lightning fan for years. Kennedy is enthusiastic about what she has seen from the team.
“Hockey has become exciting again in Tampa,” she said.
In Kennedy’s eyes, Vinny Lecavalier is finally becoming his old self again, noting injuries and trade rumors had affected his play prior to this season. She also raved about Steven Stamkos and thinks he has been “the face of the NHL” for much of the season.
Kennedy also likes winger Sean Bergenheim and defenseman Pavel Kubina, who were both brought in last summer. She thinks Bergenheim plays “a solid but quiet game” and that Kubina, a member of the Lightning’s Stanley Cup team, is “just meant to be here.”
In addition to its play on the ice, Kennedy feels that the team has shown more class than previous teams.
“After every home win, they salute the fans at center ice,” she said.
Lauren Burg, a 2009 graduate of USFSP, is currently an editing intern for the Bleacher Report sports website. An avid Lightning fan, she believes the team looks as good as it has in a long time.
Burg, 26, says the offense is stocked with goal scorers and the defense has improved. She also feels the trade for Roloson was a smart move to help solidify the Lightning’s goaltending. Like most fans, she thinks the new coach is doing a tremendous job as well.
“The guys are playing more disciplined,” she said. “They really seem to have bought into Boucher’s new system.”
According to Burg, the team’s biggest victories this season have come in recent weeks. They got a 1-0 overtime win in Washington on Jan. 3 and a 3-0 win over the Capitals at home on Jan. 12. Both wins gave the team sole possession of first place in Southeast division. She also noted that the Lightning has played well on the road.
Gault believes the Lightning can go far if they keep their play at a high level the rest of the way.
“It’s safe to say that at this point in the season, the Lightning is a legit Stanley Cup contender,” he said.
