Respect for the Lightning

This has been a big issue I've noticed.

As a Habs fan, I think the Bolts first caught my eye when they dismantled Montreal after the Canadiens tried to sit on a 3-1 lead in January. Tampa Bay just skated us out of the rink in that game.

Also, the tie in Detroit was pretty impressive, as was that 7-2 shellacking of the Make-Beleafs.

I don't think you'll find an issue of disrespect coming from Montreal fans. More likely ESPN disses the Lightning much like CBC in Canada disses the Canadiens and Senators in favor of the Leafs.

Not for me: I had richards, St. louis, Stillman, Boyle and Khabibulin in my pool this year. And I still didn't win! :banghead: I blame John Grahame for my downfall.

But yes otherwise, for sure. Everyone made fun of me for picking TB, but they impressed me last year especially

I started respecting the Lightning back around 01 Thanksgiving. I went down to Tampa to vist my aunts and we went out to a game and they dominated the Devils in a 2-0 victory. I started folling them pretty closely after that game and actually predicted they would make the playoffs in 02-03, though they still surprised me by winning the division.

I have to admit I never thought St. Louis would be the player he is today. Once they got Khabibulin I figured they would be good...a solid netminder makes up for a lot...but I didn't notice they went on that crazy win streak this year until the media up here actually started paying attention to it.

On ESPN last night they were trying to "hype" the TB-MTL series, but kept screwing up. Melrose kept saying the small CENTERS St. Louis and Koivu (STL hasn't played center in... well, never) would match-up. They also said Khabibulin had 3 shutouts vs. Montreal in the first round. (I thought it was the Isles out there, but my eyesight is bad).

Also, when doing their promo graphic they had a picture of Lecavalier labelled "St. Louis."

If anyone caught part of the CAL-DET game last night Thorne was having problems pronouncing any of the Flames names, especially Regehr. He did the same thing in the Nashville series, mispronouncing Timonen.

It's Thorne and Linda "yes, we KNOW you're a Ranger fan, stop telling us already" Cohn who constantly butcher names that makes me think of Al Jaffe on Dream Job saying, "ESPN wouldn't even think about hiring you if you mispronounce players' names."

Also, when doing their promo graphic they had a picture of Lecavalier labelled "St. Louis."
They were still using it during the Avs-Sharks game. Not only do they look nothing alike, but Vinny's A was very prominent. Duh. :shakehead

As sad as it is to say...there's some veteran Canadian commentators who are really starting to screw up more regularly. Some random comments from last night's Flyers-Leafs game (paraphrasing):

"Flyers lead 1-0. Excuse me, that's 3-1."

"It'll be Roberts getting the penalty for intereference....oh, it's Amonte for roughing."

"Mogilny with the shot...he scores! Roberts! It might have gone in off the Flyers player in front..."

Sheesh...it's one thing if you don't know how to pronouce Afenshenkov or Khabibulin, but when you can't pronounce common names and can't even identify players on the ice...c'mon. If it were football or basketball, they would not tolerate that. Can you imagine:

"Shot for three....and it's good! Three points for the Lakers, scored by...number 8"

"He takes the snap from centre, Culpepper going to the endzone, and it's caught by...number 84 for Minnesota...great play!"