Sound bites

Thoughts and observations on Wednesday's Sunshine Network broadcast.

The series returned to Sunshine after a two-game hiatus for broadcasts on ABC and ESPN, and the hints of homer-ism from color commentator Bobby "Chief" Taylor likely drew a smile from Lightning fans. Early on, Taylor said, "(The officials) allowed (New Jersey) a very generous line change. You don't see them crying about it now."

Taylor and play-by-play announcer Rick Peckham were sharp during the first-period scoring binge. Taylor quickly diagnosed a premature defensive change by the Lightning as a primary cause of the Devils' first goal, but he neglected to finger Dave Andreychuk for his hand in the turnover that also led to Scott Gomez's breakaway.

Peckham's call on the Lightning score - "Jassen Cullimore floats in the tying goal" - was perfect. Cullimore lifted the puck over a sliding Devil, and it drifted past four others who were screening Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, who didn't flinch until it was past him.

"Two goals, two unforced errors," Taylor unflinchingly declared after a giveaway led to New Jersey's 2-1 lead. He was dead-on, but again he failed to identify the culprit - this time Dan Boyle - by name during the replay. (He did mention Boyle when it was shown again after the game.)

Legendary coach Scotty Bowman was at the St. Pete Times Forum, and Sunshine's Mike Nabors got an interview with him. Bowman is the all-time winningest coach in the regular season (1,244) and playoffs (223) over 30 seasons. He coached a record nine Stanley Cup winners and retired after winning the Cup with Detroit last season.

Scott Stevens' clinching goal was much like Cullimore's - a screened floater - and the lost faceoff by the Lightning immediately was called out by Taylor.

The final word on the Lightning, from Taylor in the waning moments: "They've got no gas left whatsoever."

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