TampaBLAB

Game 18: Florida at Tampa Bay

Bolts Blog — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:05:00 +0000

The Tampa Bay Lightning lost to the Florida Panthers 4-3 in a shootout.

This entire game I couldn't help but think that it was a mirror image of the games that they'd been playing. Only the Lightning were in the Panthers' shoes before. They'd be outshot hugely, lose the lead, squeak into overtime, and then the rest was up to chance in the shootout.

Which is really the thing that people hate about the shootout. It's not that it's not a team event, and it's not that it's a gimmick. It's really because success in the shootout is plainly about luck. What they fail to see is that the entirety of any game is a game of chance. The shootout in hockey just lays that fact bare, and most people would rather believe that it's skill or some kind of master plan that gets them somewhere than just blind chance. But how many players say that their goals were scored because they threw something on net and the fact that it went in was just pure luck?

Anyways, Stamkos was on a rampage last night. I think that playing with Lecavalier and St. Louis really got him going because it was an indication of faith in his ability. Nine shots on goal - but not one going in - is pretty crazy. As were Lecavalier's seven shots on goal, also with none going in.

I still don't understand what the big fuss is over Stamkos's ice time. I think it's pretty unreasonable to expect any 18-year-old rookie to have anything more than a supporting role on any team in any sport. Would anyone feel completely comfortable about putting a true freshman who was a high school star immediately as starting quarterback for USC, Ohio State, or Florida? No - in fact, most people would think the head coach was insane for trying that - and that's for a college team, not a big-league professional team. So why expect an 18-year-old NHL rookie to put up All-Star numbers and rack up veteran levels of ice time immediately? There's such a huge double standard going on with that.

52 shots on goal for the Lightning. Yes, that's for Tampa Bay. I'm not sure where that came from. Still, allowing 36 for Florida was about their average this season. So that aspect of theiir game remains pretty constant. As was five power plays they gave the Panthers which let them back into the game.

I think, in the end, all of these overtime games will really help them get into playoffs. I hate the points system that the NHL has - 2 points for wins, 1 point for overtime, 0 points for loses - but it should work in Tampa Bay's favor this season. They've been in something like nine overtimes now, and have only won two of them. If those had stayed in regulation and they'd kept that record, they'd be out seven points in the standings. So that's beneficial for them - and I say that grudgingly because I think the system is wrong.

For the Penny Pincher in You!

VisitTampaBay — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:33:26 +0000

I don't know about you guys but I like saving money and am a sucker for a good deal! So before you take that family vacation and start to book a hotel be sure to check out the Hot Deals section of our website.
As we get closer to the end of the football season and approach events like the ACC Football Championship, Outback Bowl, and that small little event known as the Super Bowl (insert sarcasm here), you might want to get an early start on making sure you got a place to lay your head!

Lately we seem to have more hotel deals than we know what to do with! Properties like the Intercontinental Tampa, Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, and the Doubletree Hotel Tampa Westshore Airport just to name a few.

Of course we got you covered on the dining and nightlife front from free drinks, early seating coupons, to free beignets! We add to this list on a regular basis so be sure to check it out save some cash!

The new new thing: The Knux

Wade Tatangelo — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 13:22:45 +0000

New Orleans rap duo kills on debut disc.

final four back in tampa

tommy — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:59:44 +0000

From Tampa Bay & Company: Tampa Bay & Company is proud to announce that the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee has selected Tampa Bay, and the University of South Florida, to host the 2015 NCAA Division I Women’s Final Four Championship. I hope local media lays off the lesbian angle this time. If local media is [...]

This scene was filmed in Florida today

Steve Spears — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:50:44 +0000

Here in Stuck in the '80s land, we're not usually ones to whine about the weather. But today? Oh today, we're making an exception. The weather websites tell us it's in the 40s here, which is a sure sign around...

The Short List: How Obama Got Elected

Joe Bardi — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:00:44 +0000

If you voted for Obama you're an idiot, Eric Holder for A.G., Somali pirates strike again, Oswald is innocent, so is Mark Cuban, and more on today's Short List.

Lakeland Homes Sold October 2008 - Back to 2004 Prices? - LakelandLocal.com

Chuck Welch - LakelandLocal.com — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:15:59 +0000

by Chuck Welch at LakelandLocal.com

CommunityWalk Map - October 2008 Lakeland Homes Sold

Full Size Map - October 2008 Lakeland Homes Sold

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The quick note from Realtor Petra Norris:

Hi folks! The month of October has shown that 136 homes were sold in Lakeland at an average price with a continuous decline to just under $150,000. When comparing the data to last year, we have seen that the average sold price of a home decreased by 24% from $184,486 to $149,333. Folks, these are prices we have seen in 2004 here in Lakeland, Florida alone.

Lakeland’s current inventory reached 2,426 of residential homes in active and 247 homes in pending status.

Distressed properties are homes in pre-foreclosure, foreclosure, bank owned, as well as short sales - Of the 136 homes sold last month, 52 homes were sold with an average sales price of $118,382. Only 10 homes were sold the previous year, due to Short Sales and/or Foreclosures.

There are currently 468 homes facing foreclosure.

117 homes are in pending status waiting for bank or lender approval to close.

What is the average price for these types of homes?

In Lakeland, you will find distressed properties in every price category. The average price currently listed is $148,632. The priciest home currently on the market is listed for $750,000 and the lowest priced home is $19,000.

Ed. Note: Additional information charts about October sales by Petra Norris

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Did you know that Lakeland Local maps are interactive and include information you won't find in the article?

Wade Tatangelo’s up for an award

Wade Tatangelo — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:06:57 +0000

For his Umbrella Corporation cover/feature story.

Warren Sapp moves one step closer to glory on Dancing with the Stars

Eric Deggans — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 04:00:14 +0000

It's now down to the beauty, the boy band-er and the bone breaker. With Hannah Montana man-boy Cody Linley finally shown the door on Tuesday's Dancing with the Stars, next week's finals come down to two of the show's best...

Ike and Tina Turner - Nutbush City Limits

Pushing Rope — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:44:00 +0000

The energy displayed by Tina Turner is amazing.