Friday, January 22, 2016
Florida Hockey-In Sunrise!
Florida
Hockey, in Sunrise
Last year's Rookie of the Year, Aaron Ekblad
In case you
have not been paying attention, there is a pair of pretty good hockey
teams in Florida.
The
Lightning play out of Tampa Bay, which is on the Gulf Coast side of
the state. The Panthers are located in Sunrise, virtually Fort
Lauderdale. No matter. I you happen to find yourself in the state,
you can locate yourself at one of these cities for more than 40 games
a year.
Consider the
latest offer from the Panthers: Four tickets, parking, four dogs,
four sodas---------$ 79.00! There are Toronto Maple Leaf single tickets
available at this price, and not the greatest seats. I know that
trying to get Leaf tickets is difficult in the Great White North.
This is an acceptable alternative. During play offs several years
ago, people flew to Sunrise to watch the games. The whole excursion
was cheaper than buying scalped tickets in the north.
The Panthers
are feeling the effects of that emotional roller coaster called
momentum. They recently chalked up their twelfth consecutive victory.
There was complete euphoria after every win. There was that feeling
that it just might go on forever. But everyone knew that just would
not be the case. There would be unlucky bounces, hot goalies,
unintended errors, injuries---that kind of thing that suddenly puts
the brakes on a streak.
All four of
the above-mentioned factors have reared their ugly heads. The
Panthers have lost their last four games, heading into Friday night's
contest against the Chicago Black Hawks. There will be many Canadian
bums in the seats for this one, especially friends of Andrew Shaw. He
hails from our neck of the woods, and I know at least a dozen of his
fans will be at the game.
Please note:
It appears on the television screen that there are plenty of unused
seats behind the benches. Those seats are paid for, and the occupants
may be in one of the exclusive clubs under the stands. They do peek
out during the playoffs. I fully realize they would be occupied in a
Northern arena. It is simply the nature of the beast.
Andrew Shaw, with his parents.
The Black
Hawks invade the BT&T Center tonight. They are coming off a loss
last evening in Tampa Bay, ending their twelve game winning streak.
Tampa Bay is also working on a sizable winning streak, so it was a
matter of push coming to shove. At least they will be able to enjoy
the Florida weather, somewhat superior to that in Chicago. Truth to
be told, it has rained significantly the past couple of days here.
With Robert Marvin Hull, in Chicago
The Panthers
are reeling from a four game winless streak. They have had a few days
off to readjust, and heal. They will play a couple of games, then
head into the All Star break. That does not last long. The home
stretch is long, and often debilitating. Too often does a team expend
significant energy just to make the playoffs, only to face a fresh
opponent. In that case, an early exit from the post season activity.
The trick is
to have a stronghold on a playoff berth long before the season ends.
That allows time to prepare for the post season, to mend nagging
aches and pains, to re-energize before the second season begins.
Every team knows the drill. It is just a matter of putting it in
place.
Stay tuned!!
January 22,
2016
sportslices.blogspot.com
# posted by James Hurst @ 9:40 AM 
