* No matter how this hockey season ultimately ends, this much we can say for sure: There was no bandwagon effect for the Lightning outside Tampa Bay. NBC network analysts picked against the Lightning, the highest-scoring team in the NHL, three straight times–Detroit, Montreal and New York, a trio the Lightning had dominated during the regular season. The studio analysts typically sounded like they were waiting for Ben Bishop to implode or “The Triplets” to be de-cubed. Maybe they were channeling their network bosses–who assuredly didn’t want a lesser-market team advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals.
Go, Bolts.
* While Lightning fans still boo Marty St. Louis for the classless exit he orchestrated last year, the Lightning have obviously moved on. Perhaps the only thing Amalie regulars now miss is the periodic strains of “Louie, Louie” by the Kingsmen.
But this just in: Thanks to Tyler Johnson, the “Louie, Louie” void has now been filled by “Johnny B. Goode.” The Kingsmen have been superseded by Chuck Berry–another upgrade. Sorry, Marty.
* Within the last fortnight, two former Tampa high school standouts have made their Major League Baseball debut with the Houston Astros. Two weeks ago it was outfielder Preston Tucker, a Plant High grad. A week ago it was pitcher Lance McCullers, formerly of Jesuit High. McCullers also earned his first MLB victory.