When I booked a vacation at WDW for late October earlier this year, I had hoped there would be a Tampa Bay Lightning home game. ; When the NHL schedules came out, I was delighted to see they would be home on November 2nd. ; The Syracuse Crunch and Lightning PR people agreed it would be a good idea for me to photograph all the former Crunch players who made the roster this season, too. ; Currently there are 9 players from the Crunch on the Lightning's roster. ; 7 of them played. The Tampa Bay Times Forum has one BIG High-Def scoreboard and it's crystal clear. Goes from Blue line to Blue line and two stories high. Scott Audette, who did the hockey photography workshops with Scott Kelby last Spring, was my host and set me up at one of the photography holes at ice level right along the goal line at the end the Lightning shoot at twice. This was my view through the hole. I was able to get good photos from 2/3's of the ice surface. ; I concentrated on the blue line in to and behind the net. The first two periods I used the Nikon D700 with battery grip and the 70-200VR I lens. ; The last period I used the Nikon D7100 with the 70-200mm lens so I could download photos to my iPhone with the Eye-Fi card. Tampa Bay Lightning players Brett Connolly (14), Tyler Johnson (9) and Radko Gudas (7) skating against the St. Louis Blues. All three played for the Crunch last season. ; Connolly had just been called up two days prior and scored the game winning goal this night. TampaCuse by Scottwdw, on Flickr Here's Brett again letting a shot go at the top of the circle. Here is the Lightning's Captain, Martin St. Louis (26) He may be small but Tyler Johnson (9) held is own out there against St. Louis' big defensemen. Ondrej Palat (18), a member of the Crunch's Top Gun Line last season, was also throwing his weight around battling for pucks in front of the net and along the boards all night. Alex Killorn (17) scored a goal and collected two assists in the Bolt's 4-2 win. ; He was named First Star of the Game. Ben Biship (30) seems to have taken over the starting goalie role this season. Had a solid night in the net. Here's Steven Stamkos (91) taking a face-off. Former Crunch defensemen Mark Barberio (#8) and Radko Gudas (7) both had assists.
First off, great shots Scott! ; Second, what a great story! ; Get a trip to Tampa, shoot the players that you covered last year and wow! ; 9 Crunch players on the roster, 7 played, thats 1/3 of the team that dressed that night! ; Must have something to do with the Crunch having a rough start this year.
It was a great experience. ; The Crunch play Hershey in the Capitols rink in Washington in February. ; Another NHL arena to check off. It has everything to do with the Crunch getting off to a slow start, John. ; The Crunch are a team of potential right now. ; Most are first and second year pros with a half dozen veterans to teach them the ropes. ; On top of that, most of those are from Russia or former Russian Republics. So there's a language barrier to overcome. ; They have been inconsistent from period to period. I expect them to be better the last 40 games then they are the first 32. ; Depending on injuries, callups, trades, etc.
When you told us you were making the trip, I said I expected NHL-quality shots. ; Well, you delivered! ; Great set, great opportunity, great shots.
Yeehaa Bob however is crushed that you missed him. He has invested in a pair of skates and is seriously considering giving up the piano... AWESOME shots BTW!!! ~Joanie
I have been trying to see Yeehaa Bob for years. ; The last two tries, he was out of town. ; I will have to bring him a hockey stick when I do get to see him. Thanks, Joanie!
