Tampa Bay Lightning: A Class Act

Although I had selfish motivations for rooting for the Bruins in the Eastern Conference finals (my hope that I can catch a Stanley Cup final game while I'm in Boston), I've learned to love the Tampa Bay Lightning.   The Tampa Bay organization has conducted itself in a classy, professional matter throughout the playoffs, showing respect for their opponents, officials and fans at all times, both on and off the ice.  The players are terrific role models for young hockey players to look up to and emulate.  I wasn't surprised to learn that the day after their postseason elimination, the Lightning took the time to greet their faithful fans to show their thanks and support.

Steven Stamkos autographs a stick for a fan.

Coach Guy Boucher takes the time to shake hands with dedicated Lightning fans.

It was a great gesture to have the team show some appreciation and gratitude for their fans.  I'm sure after just being eliminated a round short of the Stanley Cup finals, the team wasn't necessarily enthusiastic about shaking hands and autographing sticks, but they did it anyway.  I have a lot of respect for that.

Let's talk about Steven Stamkos for a minutes.  One minute the man takes Boychuck's tipped slapshot directly in the face, skates off the ice doing his best to hold his perfusely bleeding, shattered nose together with his hands, and then a few minutes later returns to the ice with a cage on ready for his next shift like nothing happened.  Just another example of why hockey players are the toughest athletes around:

And why soccer players certainly are not:

Anyway, the Lightning squad represents the best of what hockey has to offer, and the team has a lot to be proud of.  It's too bad we won't get to see them contend for a Stanley Cup this year, but expect them to be right back in the race again next year.