Friday, March 27, 2009

Bonus items

Preparation paid off in spades earlier this week when the Columbus Blue Jackets traveled to Hockey Bay to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.

No, I'm not talking about the four dozen autographs, compliments of Columbus players, that were added to the collection. Instead, I'm talking about the 10 we added Tuesday from members of the Lightning who have taken up residence at the hotel used by the Blue Jackets.

Mostly extended call-ups or players obtained in deadline-day trades, they are more than willing to stop, sign, pose for pictures and/or engage in a conversation.

Those signing cards:

Top row: Steve Downie, from left, and Karri Ramo
Bottom row: Matt Lashoff

Besides the cards, here's who signed what, including one obtained at the Blue Jackets-Lightning game:

Right winger Martins Karsums, obtained in the deal that sent Mark Recchi to Beantown, signed this Latvian team jersey.

Technically, defenseman Cory Murphy, didn't see this mini Lightning stick while we were hounding the Blue Jackets. Instead, he signed it during the first intermission of Tuesday's game.

Richard Petiot, among the 20 defenseman dispatched along the Lightning's blue line this season, signed a practice jersey from the Manchester (N.H.) Monarchs, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings.

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