Lightning go international in latest win

January 20, 2016 general

Wednesday, 6 a.m. Once, there was distrust. Once, there was skepticism. Oh, it wasn’t that anyone doubted the talent of the Russian hockey player. Everyone agreed they were fast, and they were skilled, and they spoke the language of hockey. Still, a lot of coaches, and a lot of players, seemed to look differently at […]

Tagged as: Hockey, Lightning, Russians, Vasilevskiy

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What’s really going on with Stamkos?

January 19, 2016 general

Tuesday, 6 a.m. When the score is tied 2-2 in the third period, he is still the player you look for to make an impact. When the team has won its fifth straight, or lost its third straight, he is still the player you listen to for perspective. He still has the best vision on […]

Tagged as: Contract, Lightning, Stamkos, Yzerman

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Playoffs show Bucs how far away they are

January 18, 2016 general

Monday, 6 a.m. You imagine them sitting there, awed. This is not the game they play, not really. This is not the level they reach. This is another level, another league. These are the Tampa Bay Bucs, and you can imagine them as they watch the Final Four of the NFL. Were these the same […]

Tagged as: Brady, Buc;s, Manning, playoffs

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Hot Lightning beats first-place Panthers

January 17, 2016 general

Sunday, 8:59 p.m. There has been some luck involved. A puck goes off a skate into the goal. A team wins a three-on-three overtime. But slowly, the victories are beginning to add up for the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Lightning won its fifth straight game, its longest streak of the season, by beating the first-place […]

Tagged as: Bishop, Kucherov, Lightning, Panthers

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Random Thoughts: Belichick picks a winner

January 17, 2016 general

Sunday, 6 a.m. Hello, I’m Bill Belichick. And it would be much easier to believe that I was a genius if I didn’t have my finger up my nostril. – Doctors are going to examine Lawrence Phillips’ brain. My guess it’ll be in great shape, having never been used. – Wow, Two thoughts about  last night’s Cardinals-Packers […]

Tagged as: Alabama, Koetter, NFL, Smith

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Ask Gary: Did Bucs want Koetter, or rid of Lovie?

January 16, 2016 general

(Each week, the readers take over GarySheltonsports.com and play Ask Gary. They send in a question, or a couple, and we all talk about the world of sports.  Think of it as a radio show where you don’t have to be on hold. Join us and ask a question, make a comment or be funny. Send the […]

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This Koetter-Smith combo is better than the old one

January 16, 2016 general

Saturday, 6 a.m. For now, his vision is clear, his ideas seem brilliant and his path is paved in gold. At the moment, he is undefeated. These are the best days for Dirk Koetter, the new coach of the Bucs. He has yet to lose to Carolina. He has yet to call a play that […]

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Lightning’s Namestnikov has a Hat Trick in win

January 16, 2016 general

Saturday, 12:03 a.m. The first goal was a finger-snap. It came about the time you heard the puck hit the ice. Less than two minutes into the game, and Vladimir Namestikov was on the boards. It was his seventh goal of the season, which means it wasn’t totally unexpected, but it was like found money […]

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If Koetter is to succeed, he’ll need help

January 15, 2016 general

Friday, 6:10 a.m. It doesn’t matter where a coach comes from. It matters what sort of help he gets once he’s here. That’s the part that has always been difficult for the Tampa Bay Bucs to fathom. They have hired former pro coaches, four of them. They have hired former college coaches, three of them. […]

Tagged as: Buc;s, Glazers., Koetter, Licht

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To Tampa Bay, Rays’ vote means a fresh chance

January 15, 2016 general

Friday, 6 a.m. After all of the politics, after all of the posturing, after both sides acting as if they were the ones driving the vehicle, the Rays’ ability to look across Tampa Bay for a new stadium means this: A new chance. Perhaps a last chance. This was the reason for the large exhale […]

Tagged as: baseball, Rays, Stadium, Tampa

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