Exclusive Lightning coverage by Gary Shelton Sports

Bishop is the Bolts’ best, but do you trust him yet?

June 2, 2015 general

Tuesday, 4:08 p.m. Do you trust him? You have pulled for him. You have clapped for him. You have been impressed by him. You have felt his pain. You have felt his joy. But deep down, where your doubts live, where your fears dwell, do you trust him? This year, Ben Bishop has won more […]

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Lightning travel difficult road to get to Stanley

June 1, 2015 general

Monday, 6 a.m. The Lightning have traveled this way before. The way we remember it, the road used to be a lot smoother. These days, there are bumps and hairpin turns, potholes and detours. So this was the road to the Stanley Cup? It has never been rougher. Who knows if this Lightning team will […]

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Random Thoughts: Jennings figures out baseball

May 31, 2015 general

Sunday, 6 a.m. Hello, I’m Dan Jennings. And did everyone know that teams played a left-fielder, too? — Prince of a guy, that Prince Shembo, who beat a 7-pound Yorkie to death. Self-protection.  I don’t know what punishment fits, but how about 20 years…in Michael Vick’s old dog cage? — You can blame the source. […]

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The Lightning is going to the Stanley Cup Finals!

May 30, 2015 general

Saturday, 12:07 a.m. Hello, Lord Stanley. It’s us again. You remember, don’t you? We’re the fans with suntans, the fans with mosquito bites. We’re the fans with lovebugs in the grill of the Zamboni. We’re the fans who yell “score, ya’ll.” We’re the fans of the Tampa Bay Lightning. And we’re back. How you’ve been, […]

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Rangers history doesn’t bother Lightning in Game 7

May 27, 2015 general

Wednesday, 4:07 p.m. Sure, you can talk about the Rangers in Game Sevens if you want. On the other hand, you can talk about the Ming Dynasty. You can talk about how well Henrik Lundqvist has played. And you can talk about the O.K. Corral. You can talk about how other teams wilted at the […]

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Bishop reflects his Lightning team in Game 6 loss

May 27, 2015 general

WEDNESDAY, 1:02 A.M. Tampa He is a man of his team. Everything you wish to think about the Tampa Bay Lightning, you may think of goaltender Ben Bishop. One day, he is a goat. The next, he is a guard dog. One day, he is everything wrong. The next, he is most things right. One […]

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Lightning wants to close out series now

May 26, 2015 general

Wednesday, 5:39 p.m. They have a game to play with. What’s the big deal? They can lose one and still win it. Isn’t that a great position to be in? They are playing with house money. Aren’t things great? Steven Stamkos doesn’t want to hear any of it. To him, this is the night, and […]

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For St. Louis, there is one more chance at a memory

May 25, 2015 general

Monday, 10:22 a.m. Watch out for the little guy. The old little guy. Here on Memorial Day, you remember Marty St. Louis, don’t you? For that matter, Rangers fans remember St. Louis, too, because he hasn’t done a lot lately.   Sure, New York is an Original Six team, but lately, St. Louis seems like […]

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Bishop rejects questions, pucks in big Bolts win

May 25, 2015 general

 Monday, 12:38 a.m. Okay, are there any more questions for Lightning goaltender Ben Bishop? You in the front row. Do you want to ask him about how shaky he had looked in the previous game? No? You in the back? Do you want to ask him if the pressure of the playoffs is getting to […]

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Random Thoughts: Rousey to take out Mayweather?

May 24, 2015 general

Hello, I’m Ronda Rousey. And why is everyone sending me flowers in the name of Floyd Mayweather? As I understand it, they don’t want him to take me out, they want me to knock him out. – Roger Staubach wouldn’t have signed Greg Hardy. Ah, Staubach. That was a saner America…and a  saner America’s team. – […]

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