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JOHN C. COTEYThoughts and observations from Thursday's ESPN Lightning telecast:
CAMERA SHY: The camera work - the angles, the replays - was not sharp, especially on replays that didn't match what the announcers were trying to point out. The shot of Brad Richards' goal should have focused on Dave Andreychuk practically falling over a defender to make a great pass.
LOVE IT: John Davidson, the analyst, calls boothmates Gary Thorne and Bill Clement "boys," as in "Calgary's coming, boys" to warn of a Flames rush, or, "We got a game, boys."
HOT TALK: The crew, particularly Thorne, kept hyping the temperatures rising, the emotions flaring and the heat getting turned up. Okay, we get it.
PENALTY SHOTS: Thorne, Clement and Davidson were all over the officiating in the first period that led to four Calgary power plays, especially the first penalty.
"That's being a little bit firm, early, isn't it?" Clement asked.
"Wow," Thorn answered.
After the second penalty, Davidson chimed in, "Folks, that is just a regular hockey play. Two weak calls."
VINCENT CAN GO: Vinny Lecavalier got the respect of the ESPN crew for his first-period play. "Vinny Lecavalier has come to this hockey game like a man possessed," Clement said.
TOO MUCH INFORMATION: Brad Lukowich does not wear underwear. But thanks for the feature, anyway.
FINAL WORD: "If Calgary does not win this game, they're going to look back and say our power play let us down." - Clement.