Stanley Has Bees and Canucks Now...

((HT: NHL.com/CBC))

Bob Cole was on the mic- as it should be for games of this kind of importance...

It is a total of 76 years of futility that will be addressed when Vancouver and Boston meet in the Stanley Cup Final.

A a rule, the HQ will tell you that Game Sevens in the playoffs are not to be missed...

WE did miss this one, however, since we had tickets to both Rodgers and Hammerstein and "The Hangover, Part 2." Yes, we're also aware that it is an interesting combination of events...

By the way, "Hangover...?" Funny, but very dark...

Oh, the game...

Nathan Horton proved why he was a great pick-up for the Bruins at the deadline...

Here's the highlights...


Game One is Wednesday...

Lightning strikes: Series vs. Bruins to go 7

It wasn't always pretty, but the Tampa Bay Lightning did what they had to do and held off the Boston Bruins 5-4, tying their best of 7, Eastern Conference Finals series at 3 games apiece.

Martin St. Louis was the sparkplug for the Lightning, knocking home 2 goals and an assist. Goalie Dwayne Roloson wasn't outstanding, but he only faced 20 shots and he did enough to keep the Bruins from coming back and winning the game.

David Krejci had a hat trick for Boston, but he was the only one really able to muster any offense for the Bruins, who also got a goal from Milan Lucic.

Game 7 and the right to face the Vancouver Canucks is going to be played Friday night in Boston at the TD Garden. It will be the first conference final to go to a game 7 since 2006.

Your highlights from NHL.com:

Bruins one game away from Stanley Cup Finals

Could they be your first participant? The Boston Bruins used some clutch goaltending from Tim Thomas and goals from Nathan Horton, Brad Marchand and an empty netter from Rich Perverly to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 and take a 3-2 lead in their best of seven series.

The Bruins got their 3 goals on only 19 shots and had to rely on Thomas standing on his head while making 33 saves. Simon Gagne got the Lightnings only goal, scoring just 69 seconds into the game.

Game 6 is back in Tampa on Wednesday night.

Your highlights from NHL.com:

Lightning strike 5 times to overcome Bruins

It was a tale of two games. Well, almost. The Tampa Bay Lightning used a 5 goal barrage to stage a furious comeback and beat the Boston Bruins 5-3 in the Stanley Cup Eastern Conference Finals.

Lightning fans thought the game might be over when starting goaltender Dwayne Roloson was pulled after allowing 3 goals on the first 9 shots of the game. But after Teddy Purcell scored two second period goals to tie things at 3, Simon Gagne dropped one in to give Tampa Bay the lead and eventually the win.

The win ties the best of 7 series at two games apiece. Game 5 is Monday night back in Boston.

Your highlights courtesy of NHL.com:

Bruins hang a Goose Egg on Lightning

There was no electricity in Tampa Bay last night. That's because Boston Bruin goaltender Tim Thomas stood on his head and did everything else needed to shut out the Lightning.

Thomas stopped 31 shots en route to a Boston 2-0 win, giving the Bruins a 2-1 lead in the best of seven Eastern Conference Finals series.

David Krejci scored early and and Andrew Ference scored late, the two goals being more than enough to slow down the high scoring series. This despite the Lightning out shooting the Bruins 31-23.

Game 4 in the series is set for Saturday at 1:30 pm in sunny Tampa.

And your highlights from our friends at NHL.com:




Here's sound with the Bruins Patrice Bergeron and Tim Thomas. (Thanks Comcast Sports New England)

Bruins even things up with Lightning

We watched this game. And got tired just watching it. The Boston Bruins used a 5 goal 2nd period to hold off the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-5, tying their best of 7 series at 1 game a piece.

The win stopped the Lightning's 8 game playoff winning streak and set-up an exciting game 3 and 4 starting Thursday night in Tampa.

Boston rookie Tyler Seguin had possibly his best game this season with 2 goals and 2 assists in that watershed 2nd period. Michael Ryder had 2 goals, thanks to Seguin and the Bruins chased Lightning goalie Dwayne Roloson after 2 periods.

But the Lightning fought back and made it exciting, heck they scored 13 seconds into the game. Tampa has put up 10 goals in two games against the Bruins, the team who gave up the least amount of goals through the regular season.

If Tuesday night was an indication, this is going to be some "Can't miss Hockey" over the next few nights.

Your highlights--and there were a lot, from NHL.com:

Washington Capitals struck by Lightning...and swept

Lightning Celebrate/Courtesy: Chris Urso/TBO.com

Well, that didn't take long. The Tampa Bay Lightning completed the sweep last night in the NHL Stanley Cup Semi-finals.

Who did they sweep? None other than the alleged top-seeded Washington Capitals.

Two goals for Sean Bergenheim and 33 stops for goalie Dwayne Roloson and all of a sudden the Lightning, your #5 seed is heading to the Conference finals.

Your game story from TBO.com RIGHT HERE

As for the Caps, it's the 4th year in a row they've left the chase for Lord Stanley's cup early. The D.C locals are completely perplexed and wonder if a rebuild is in the offing.

Your story from the Washington Post RIGHT HERE

For the game highlights, we give you a selection of goals from our friends at NHL.com:

Sunday NHL Recap: Surprising 2-0 Leads...

((HT: NHL/Versus/NBC))

In the western conference, the Sharks got output from Ian White and Niclas Wallin- of all people- to get a 2-0 series lead with a 2-1 win...


But it was the big guns that gave Tampa their 2-0 series lead in a 3-2 overtime win over the Washington Capitals. Vinny Lecavalier scored twice, including the game-winner, and Martin St. Louis netted the other...

Wednesday NHL Recap: Two More Game 7 Thrillers

((HT: NESN/NHL/ROOT Sports))

Here's the Pitsburgh-Tampa highlights where the third line came up huge again for the Lightning in a 1-0 win...

Who had Sean Bergenheim in the pool...???



The Bolts become the 24th team in league history to come back from a 3-1 deficit to win the series...

And the other one went overtime with a key trade deadline acquisition coming up huge in a 3-2 overtime win...

Who had Nathan Horton in the pool...???


Horton and Bergenheim are what this season is all about as we head to the CSF's...

Your Nightly NHL UPDATE: Double-Double

((HT: NHL/Versus/ROOT Sports))

Two games in the NHL took a while to close off last night...
The Tampa-Pittsburgh and the New York-Washington games both went double overtime- the first for this post-season...

Here are your game-winners... both quite fluky bouncy...


And one of the cooler moments of the evening was in the Rangers-Caps game as the crowd at MSG tried to make a point to Caps head coach Bruce Boudreau...
((HT: NHL/Versus))


Gotta love Panger's response there...
And he's right...

In other games, the Ducks evened the series with Nashville and Detroit eliminated Phoenix in four straight. Now all we need to know is the future...

Which would need to be settled by late June...

Lightning Get Their Yzerman....

Go ahead Hockey fans...let's just say it together....Steve Yzerman, General Manager. Only he won't be the GM of the team that he has been associated with for 27 years, the Detroit Red Wings.

No, Stevie Y, today was named the GM....of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Check out more from TBO.com RIGHT HERE

((Stevie Y//Courtesy: Dave Sandford/Getty Images/TSN.ca))

Yzerman has been out of hockey for a few years now. He was the VP of Hockey Operations for the Red Wings and he put together this years Canadian Olympic Hockey team. He does have some idea of what he is doing.

This is also the Lightning's owner, Jeff Vinik, putting a stamp on the team that he now owns. With the talent in Tampa already, it should be very interesting to see how it will play out.

Enjoy the Lightning's New GM's Hall of Fame induction Ceremony from 2009. Thanks You Tube:

And here's some sound from the presser, thanks to our friends at Fox 2 in Detroit
((HT: MyFoxDetroit.com))

Tampa Bay Lightning Fire Some People....

It appears the Rick Tocchet coaching era in Tampa has come to an end. As has Brian Lawton's run as the General Manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

New owner Jeff Vinik has apparently decided to clean house after the Lightning finished their 2009-10 season 34-36-12 and again, out of the playoffs.

More from FoxSports Florida RIGHT HERE

Vinik felt the need to sort of apologize to the Fan Base, check out his letter RIGHT HERE

Vinik is probably not wrong here. Despite having the NHL's top goal scorer in 20-year old Steven Stamkos, All-Stars Vincent LeCavalier and Martin St.Louis, the Lightning really haven't done much of anything since their Stanley Cup run of 2004. It probably hasn't helped that ownership has changed hands 3 times over that period of time either.

Here's Vinik addressing the housecleaning, thanks to our friends at WTVT in Tampa
Chip Carter was called in early, the HQ is fairly sure...
((HT: MyFoxTampa))


Check out video of better times in Tampa.
Thanks You Tube/ABC/NHL

Lightning Sale Approved

It looks to finally be official. The Tampa Bay Lightning sale has been approved by the NHL. Something that should be a relief to the Bettman and the rest of the league.

Boston businessman Jeff Vinik will take over the team from the semi-disfunctional Oren Koules and Len Barrie who have seemingly been fueding since they purchased the oft-sold franchise.

More from TBO.com RIGHT HERE

((Jeff Vinik photo//Courtesy: Tampa Bay Lightning))

The Barrie-Koules group spent a ton of money and didn't generate tons of results for the Lightning. Though they haven't been bad, they haven't duplicated the success the team had under the late Bill Davidson either.

The one thing this does do is hopefully bring some stability. Though the Lightning are not among the teams on that "List" of potential movers, this should make sure that they are Tampa for a long, long time. The official announcement is expected when the Bettman is in Tampa on Friday.

Here is an interview with Vinik from when the planned sale was announced. Thanks Fox13 Tampa Bay.

Ex-Lightning Co-Owner Under Investigation

((HT: GlobeSports/Shoalts))
We've covered the exploits and shenanigans of the Tampa Bay Lightning ownership pairing in the past.

One owner got the chance to buy out the other. The owner of the first part couldn't get his financing together, so now its the other owner's turn to try and get financing to buy the owner of the first part out once and for all..

Sound confusing...???

It is...

Len Barrie was supposed to get the first dibs on buying out Oren Koules. Barrie was supposed to get financing help on a British Columbia development from a Dubai-based outfit. It hasn't happened... to the tune of US$350-million of not happening.

So, now Barrie is getting his books looked at by the Canada Revenue Agency after a former auditor pretty much yelled shenanigans...

It's like having the IRS look at your books in the States... and we all know how that goes... guilty until proven innocent.

The auditor claims that Barrie financed his Lightning stake with funds from his Bear Mountain development project.

Koules has even moved down to Tampa to keep a restrictive-financial eye on things.
He's still looking for a dance partner, but hasn't found one yet, either.

Those of us at OSG HQ are doing the math: Florida, Atlanta, Tampa, Columbus, Phoenix, the Islanders, Nashville...

Should we stop...???

Niedermayer's Stick causes a Fan Fight

This is just something that you don't see every day. Let's set the story up. Last night, the Anaheim Ducks and Tampa Bay Lightning are playing against each other. The game, it goes to Overtime and Ducks forward Scott Niedermayer scores a goal 52 seconds into OT to win the game for the Ducks.

The game story from Newser.com RIGHT HERE.

The real fun however, started after the game ended. Traditionally in Hockey after the game, the team picks the 3 "Stars of the Game". And in this game, Niedermayer was voted the #1 "Star of the Game". Being the team player that he is, he skated over towards the glass, near the player entrance and decided he wanted to give his stick to a young fan on the other side. However...the stick was intercepted by an over-anxious fan and well...let's just say...a "Pier Sixer" broke out.

Let's show the video, it's not great quality, but you can clearly see the fight. Thanks You Tube:

Barrie Still Working On Lightning Sale

((HT: TSN))

Len Barrie's ((pictured, thanks Bruce Bennett/Getty)) window to buy the Tampa Bay Lightning from partner Oren Koules closed on Monday night but the former NHLer hasn't given up yet.

According to the Tampa Tribune, Barrie was still working on a deal with St. Louis real estate mogul Anthony Sansone Jr. under the assumption his window didn't close until Wednesday.

Originally, Barrie was given until Wednesday but the report indicates that because he missed multiple deadlines over the last 60 days, the window was moved up to Monday.

The CBC's Elliotte Friedman has details on that here...

Barrie released a statement on Tuesday to address the situation.

"The process is still ongoing and Oren (Koules) and I are working to protect our investments and do what's best for the team," said Barrie in the statement. "I'm still working on a deal, and so is Oren. Both of us want this resolved before the start of the season. Everyone will be advised when the process is complete."

When Barrie and Koules teamed up to buy the Lightning last year, Barrie reportedly invested $40 million of the $200 million purchase price, which appears to be the amount he would like to recoup if he is unable to buy out Koules.

Erik Erlendsson's piece in the Trib is here...

TSN's Darren Dreger maintains, through his Twitter feed, that Barrie isn't "dead yet."

Barrie Probably Giving Up Bolts Share First

((HT: GlobeSports/Shoalts))

...a person with knowledge of how the buyout agreement was set up confirmed the reason Barrie ((pictured, thanks CP)) was allowed to go first is because no one thinks he can pull it off.

If he can't, then Bettman can say: “Len, you had your chance and now we'll turn things over to Oren.” If Koules went first and was successful, Barrie could have claimed he was not given a fair chance.

Soon all that will be left is the question of how a league that supposedly put in new, tough due-diligence procedures with the arrival of the Lightning co-owners last year did not see anything wrong with someone whose net worth was tied up in a real estate gamble.

It looks as if Barrie has to drop out before his September deadline because he is fighting to save that gamble – a massive development near Victoria called Bear Mountain.

Like many real estate developers, Barrie and his 17 investors – who include current and former NHL players such as Mike Vernon, Gary Roberts, Joe Nieuwendyk, Ray Whitney, Rob Blake, Ryan Smyth, Sean Burke, Rob Niedermayer, Scott Mellanby, Matt Pettinger and Trevor Kidd – were whipsawed by falling prices and the drying up of bank credit.

Some of those investors are angry and some are not, but they all have two things in common: They are not talking about it and all fervently hope Barrie can pull a rabbit out of his hat. He needs to work out a new financing deal on the 500-hectare development that includes two golf courses, a resort, hotel and as many as 5,000 condominiums, townhouses and residential lots.

Barrie announced recently that he got a Dubai-based investment firm to go in with him on Bear Mountain to the tune of $350M. Siraj Capital gets their money back and a 25-percent stake when Barrie sells all the housing units.

Shoalts says their religion "forbids" interest payments...
How wild is that...???
It's up-front or it's a sin...
Neat...

Those of us at OSG HQ think Barrie is screwed in more than one direction on this one... and he can't afford to mess anything else up anymore...

There's also talk that Anthony Sansone, Junior is looking to get in on the Bolts. He can't say anything. Koules and Barrie can't say anything. But, apparently, he was kicking the tires over the weekend. He was also interested in the St Louis Blues a few years back...

NHL Wants A Lightning Owner To Buy Out The Other

((HT: St Pete Times/Cristodero))

The NHL apparently has decided the Lightning's ownership situation is unsustainable and set up a process in which squabbling co-owners Len Barrie ((pictured, thanks Bruce Bennett/Getty)) and Oren Koules can buy each other out.

Barrie has the first shot in an exclusive 60-day window that apparently runs out in mid to late September. If Barrie fails, Koules gets his chance.

Purchase price is not the only issue. The parties also must prove they can handle the substantial debt obligations to former owner Palace Sports & Entertainment.

If either Barrie or Koules meets those parameters during his exclusive window, the other must sell. In this way, the league hopes to bring stability to one of its most troubled franchises. How important is that? Let Phil Esposito tell you.

"Very, very, very," said the Lightning founder, who dealt with a Japanese group that forged an unsteady course in the franchise's earliest years.

"I can't emphasize enough how important it is. Then everything falls into place. Good management comes with that. Good players come with that."

What happens if both sides fail?

They might just have to live with each other; or the league might find a buyer; or perhaps Palace Sports will take back control. The former owner financed about $70 million of the $200 million purchase price and loaned OK Hockey another $30 million in operating capital.

No one is commenting; not the league, which declined several requests; not Palace Sports CEO Tom Wilson; not Koules, Barrie or anyone in their entourages, as per a gag order issued by commissioner Gary Bettman.

It is clear, though, the league is forcing a resolution.

The buyout windows are at least the third step in a plan laid out by Bettman at a June 23 meeting at the league's New York offices, where he demanded the owners work out their financial and philosophical differences about how to run the team.

Bettman made sure everyone knew his place. Koules is CEO and governor and, with general manager Brian Lawton, handles much of the day-to-day running of the organization. Lawton, as head of hockey operations, is the point man for all transactions (in other words, no meddling by the owners), and Barrie must be consulted on any transaction of more than $2 million.

The commissioner also established deadlines.

Barrie was ordered to produce a $10 million irrevocable letter of credit by July 17 to establish he could cover his portion of the team's projected losses next season and provide a bit of a cushion. The NHL never confirmed that happened, but deputy commissioner Bill Daly said at the time he was "satisfied where things stand."

Barrie also met an Aug. 1 deadline for repaying a $3 million personal loan from Koules, who covered a cash call last season that Barrie missed.

They were positive steps in creating the stability the owners say they want, and Lawton has had a superb summer as he significantly bolstered the team's blue line, cut payroll and is in the hunt for free agent wing Alex Tanguay.

Still, several aspects of the situation are unknown.

Why was Barrie given first crack at the buyout? How much will the buyouts cost? Will Koules' buyout window be of similar duration?

What is known is unless one or the other comes up with cash or a bank check (quite an assignment in this economy), any new investors will be subject to the league's due diligence and must be approved by 23 of the 30 members of the Board of Governors. The deal also must be approved by Palace Sports.

In other words, the process likely will not be quick.

"I know there's a passion with them," Esposito said of the co-owners.

The question is, does either have the money?

Lightning's Barrie Shows Proof Of Funds

((HT: TSN/Dreger))

Len Barrie supplied the National Hockey League with a letter of credit showing he has the funds to maintain his ownership stake in the Tampa Bay Lightning.

When contacted by TSN, Barrie said he wasn't able to comment on future ownership but he was very pleased with his meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

"The league is satisfied and things are progressing nicely," Barrie concluded.

Earlier this week the St. Petersburg Times reported Barrie was told by Bettman that he had a Friday deadline to prove that he had $10 million and could continue to fund the team.

There have been numerous reports of friction with Tampa's ownership over the last few months. As it stands now, co-owner Oren Koules acts as the Chief Executive Officer and league governor for the team, but Barrie's input is required for major personnel decisions.

Bettman called a meeting with the two owners and general manager Brian Lawton on June 23 in an attempt to try to solve the power struggle that has developed between the owners.

Barrie Needs $10M To NHL By Friday

((HT: TSN))

It looks like Tampa Bay Lightning co-owner Len Barrie ((pictured, thanks Bruce Bennett/Getty)) will have to put his money where his mouth is.

According to a report in the St. Petersburg Times, Barrie was told by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman that he had a deadline set for this Friday to have $10 million to prove that he can continue funding the club.

By the way, Damian Cristodero's piece is here...

The money would reportedly be used to cover the Lightning's financial losses for the current fiscal year as well as provide a slush fund in case more money is needed.

The Times reports that while the consequences for not meeting the deadline are unclear, it is possible that Bettman could take away Barrie's rights to manage the team.

As it stands now, co-owner Oren Koules acts as the Chief Executive Officer and league governor for the team, but Barrie's input is required for all major personnel decisions.

Bettman called a meeting with the two owners and general manager Brian Lawton on June 23 in an attempt to try to solve the power struggle that has developed between the two owners who are at odds in how to best build the team, both philosophically and financially.