I saw this story earlier in the week and forgot to mention it because I was more concerned with the liberty and freedom of Vancouver’s Green Men, but someone recently purchased a Wayne Gretzky rookie card for $94,163 from an online sports memorabilia auction. It is apparently an incredibly rare, flawless O-Pee-Chee card from 1979, and SCP Auction basically called it the most valuable modern trading card on the planet.

*stares at pile of Jose Canseco Rated Rookies, sighs*

Tampa Bay Lightning 4, Washington Capitals 3 (Series: 3-0 TB)

The Washington Capitals scored three goals in the second period (big deal, football players do that just by kicking the ball) to grab a 3-2 lead over the Lightning heading into the third period. It really looked like Alex Ovechkin and Co. were going to splash some water on the red hot Lightning and climb back into this series. Instead, Caps goalie Michal Neuvirth allowed two goals in the third, which I have been told is not a good strategy.

Tampa’s Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone scored the tying and game-winning goals, respectively, within 30 seconds of each other and the Lightning have now won 6 straight games as the 5-seed.

Fun Fact: The Lightning are the second most popular sports team in Tampa behind the Buccaneers. The Rays rank 714th.

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As always, if it seems that I am less than enthusiastic about professional hockey, just keep in mind that I am a very jaded and abused St. Louis Blues fan, once spoiled with playoff appearances and hopes of a Stanley Cup, only to be shoved to the ground, spit on and ignored like a Phoenix Coyotes fan.

Tampa Bay Devil Lightning 3, Washington Capitals 2 (Series: 2-0 TB)

Vincent Lecavalier was more than just a reminder of the piece of crap Chevrolet that I drove in high school. Yesterday, he was more like Vincent Lehondaaccord as he scored two goals, including the game-winner in yet another overtime, to lead the Lightning to a very unexpected 2-0 series lead. The bigger stats of the game, though, are attributed to the Lightning’s defense, as the team has shut down Washington on all power plays in this series thus far. The Caps – can I call them that? – are 0-for-11 on power plays in this series. I think that’s bad.

Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal of the series at the end of the third period to send the game into overtime, but it wasn’t enough. While the 2-0 deficit looks bad, the Lightning have already shown us that anything is possible. But the Caps have something bigger on their side that I think guarantees them at least the next two victories…

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The Tampa Bay Lightning released their new look for the 2011-2012 season, and I gotta be honest, these blow. The Washington Capitals have more exciting practice jerseys than this. I don’t understand how anyone could have looked at this and thought, “Yes, this is a great look for our team that looks nothing like the Toronto Maple Leafs.”

Look, I get that they want to look more “traditional,” but why? This team was founded in 1992. It’s barely legal, and not even old enough to drink beer. Put down your mother’s makeup, Tampa Bay Lighting. You’ll be a woman of your own someday…

But yeah, that jersey is too bland to even be horrible. And yet it’s still horrible.

Here's Thunderbug — mascot of the Tampa Bay Lightning — capering about and engaging in various hijinks with young'uns at the beach.  And if Thunderbug didn't have a big inflatable insect costume on, you could bet he'd be getting his ass kicked six ways from Sunday.  I guess you can do anything you want if you're wearing dressed as a mascot. 

Well, almost anything.  Turns out renting the San Diego Chicken costume isn't enough to get you backstage at The Jewel Box.  But it was worth a try.

[Puck That Hit]