Cooper

Time for Coop to get as angry as Torts would have?

December 14, 2016 general

Wednesday, 4 a.m. His voice is modulated. There is no edge. There are no threats. Faces are relatively unscreamed into. Considering the slide of the Tampa Bay Lightning, is this the proper message? Things will be okay, we hear over and over again. It’s early. This is just a temporary tailspin. Things will get better. […]

Tagged as: Cooper, Frustration, Lightning, Tortorella

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Lightning clobbered again as losing streak continues

December 9, 2016 general

Friday, 4 a.m. Are you worried yet? Are you checking the standings? Are you chewing your fingernails? Are you worried how far the Tampa Bay Lightning might fall, and what they might land on? You are not alone. Suddenly, the Lightning doesn’t look so tough, does it? It doesn’t look particularly fast or particularly skilled. […]

Tagged as: Cooper, Slump, Tampa Bay, Vancouver

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These days, it’s hard to believe in the Lightning

March 18, 2016 general

Friday, 6 a.m. This is the reason you doubt. This is the reason you question. This is the reason you sigh and shake your head. This why it is difficult for you to believe in the Tampa Bay Lightning. They were ahead … and then they weren’t. They were ahead again … and then they […]

Tagged as: Cooper, Lightning, playoffs, Stamkos

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Playing at home isn’t a big advantage for Bolts

December 31, 2015 general

Thursday, 12:15 a.m. Once, it was the biggest strength of the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was passionate, and it was friendly, and it felt like home. It was Amalie Arena, and teams hated to visit here. If it were any more cushy, teams would take towels home as souvenirs. These days? Amalie is a funhouse, […]

Tagged as: Amalie, Cooper, Lightning, Rangers

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Random Thoughts: What would the Rays pay Price?

December 6, 2015 general

Hi, I’m the linesman in the Clemson-North Carolina game, and does anyone know what those stripes on the field are for? Offsides? – David Price could be making $31 million a year with the Rays, of course. All he would need would be the right six numbers and Lotto to climb to $28 million a […]

Tagged as: Cooper, Herandez, Lacy, Saban

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Lightning didn’t listen to their own warnings

November 1, 2015 general

Sunday, 12:18 a.m. The words all sounded right. But who knows if anyone was listening? Jon Cooper said it. Steven Stamkos said it. Everyone said the warning that the league would come at the Lightning harder this year. Everyone said the journey would be more difficult. That the opponents would be tougher. That the ice would be rougher. […]

Tagged as: Bruins, Cooper, Lightning, Stamkos

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Lightning suddenly isn’t such a scoring machine

October 29, 2015 general

Thursday, 11:38 p.m. Think of the weapons, lethal and dangerous. Think of the skill, fast and fleet. Think of the past, goals and glory. Now, think of the goal posts with cobwebs on them. Think of the scoreboard that rarely moves. Think of the sticks that are largely ornamental. Think of a zero in eight […]

Tagged as: Avalanche, Cooper, Killorn, Lightning

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The Lightning’s next play? Re-signing Steven Stamkos

June 17, 2015 general

Wednesday, 4:43 Tampa Early afternoon, and Steven Stamkos should have been thinking about the game. It was a few hours from the scheduled drop of the puck, after all, and Stamkos was moving around the locker room. He should have been checking to time to see how long before it was time to put on […]

Tagged as: Bishop, Cooper, Johnson, Lightning, Stamkos, Yzerman

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Bishop-Hedman collision leaves Bolts reeling

June 14, 2015 general

Sunday, 12:37 a.m. TAMPA All in all, it had been a tough enough week for Ben Bishop. First of all, there was the mysterious injury. Then there was the constant game of dodge-the-question about when he would be able to play next. There were, of course, the experienced Blackhawks. And suddenly, there was teammate Victor […]

Tagged as: Bishop, Blackhawks, Cooper, Hedman, Johnson, Kucherov, Lightning, playoffs, Stamkos

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Lightning front office is the primary line for a team

June 12, 2015 general

Friday, 6 a.m. In metaphor, it is easy to see them on a line, each with their own particular skill, each with their own individual impact. A play needs to be made, and they make it. There is talent there, cohesion. Together, they can make a difference. They blend together, stars who make each other […]

Tagged as: Blackhawks, Cooper, Lightning, Vinik, Yzerman

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