Ohlund Injury update: lower body = right ankle

So apparently after missing 5 straight games, it's been released that Mattias has a right ankle injury and is day to day.

Mattias tops Tampa Bay's hot 20 under 40

Excerpted from an article by Stephen Brown - Tampa Bay Illustrated:
The Iceman, Mattias Ohlund, 33

As one of the newest members of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Mattias Öhlund is bringing a new level of determination, and sometimes aggression, to the back-ice as the high-powered defenseman takes to the rink. Öhlund’s career started in Sweden, wearing the jersey for his national team in the World Championships in 1997, and quickly followed by the birth of a NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks in 1997. As a three-time Olympian, Öhlund helped lead the Swedish team to gold in the 2006 Winter Olympic games in Turin, Italy. Signing Öhlund during the off-season, the Lightning and the rest of the Bay hope this is the season the Bolts again lift Lord Stanley’s Cup.

Happy heyday! Hail Henrik's hat trick!!

Watching last night's After Hours with Weekes interviewing Craig Andersen was so painful, I had to change the channel. It wasn't Andersen, it was just Weekes. *cringe*

Anyway, not really quite sure how the Canucks managed an 8-2 victory but they did and Henrik Sedin earned his 1st career hat trick! WOOT!!! YAY Henrik!! And since I can't find a vid of the 3 goals, I'll post up the Sedin swedish twin dancing commercial. Haha!

Hedman is back, Luongo back in net

Lots of little news: Hedman is back after missing a game due to a concussion from that huge hit. The GMs got together and talked about head shots and Mark Messier's new helmet got a plug from Brian Burke (I think). Mattias Ohlund also had a big hit that got everyone excited. Luongo is also back in net after Raycroft had strange performance issues. Still, Lui's presence didn't keep us from losing tonight's game against the Red Wings. I so knew we were going to have a ton of injuries and they'd be missing Ohlund. Oh well, his team is doing pretty well so far. Go Tampa!

EEK! Ryan Johnson is down!

Last night's game had him loosing his footing and bouncing head/shoulder first off the boards. After being prone on the ice, except for the attempt to lift his head and move his left arm, he was carried off on stretcher to VGH. 1st reports indicate that he is has a concussion but is not seriously further injured. GEEZ!! Please let there be no permanent damage. *virtual hug of support to Ryan*

Bertuzzi's Red Wings ended up taking the game 5-4. Exciting 3rd period with lots of goals.

Aside: Sydney Crosby will be a torch bearer during the Olympic torch moving through Nova Scotia. Just visited Halifax, and boy, is it a small city. Drug problem there too. Very unfortunate. Saw a panhandler facedown on the floor being cuffed by police. Shades of Vancouver's east side..

ASIDE: (GODAMNED bad ice - i think gm place is playing around with the temp of the building in preparation for the olympics and it's affecting the quality of the ice. everyone seems to be falling down a lot)

Mattias Ohlund: "It is a little bit warm for a dog."

I was surprised to read an article on Ohlund in the Vancouver Sun, considering that OHlund isn't a Canuck anymore. Regardless, it was nice to get an update on how he's doing. I guess the Ohlund family isn't minding the heat (except for Eros, their labrador). In Tampa news, I've heard about Victor's giveaways but nothing on Ohlund's play. I guess that's a good thing. I'm sad that I can't watch any of his games.

Anyway, here's the Elliott Pap article on Mattias.

Mattias Ohlund in a sunshine state with Bolts

Former Canuck D-man enjoying new role, and going to the rink in shorts
Mattias Ohlund was trying not to rub it in but it still sounded totally outrageous.

“It’s 91 degrees and sunny here right now,” the ex-Vancouver Canuck announced Monday, happily giving the weather report from his new home in Tampa, Fla. “We had a little bit of rain and lightning when we first got here but it’s been pretty much in the 90s for the last month. So there is nothing to complain about. Actually, our dog might be the only one complaining. It is a little bit warm for a dog.”

After 11 seasons as a Canuck, Ohlund opted for a gigantic leap to the U.S. south and a non-traditional hockey market. A lucrative seven-year deal worth $26.25 million certainly didn’t hurt but Ohlund insisted he wanted something completely different. He has it now. He’s even wearing a new digit on his jersey, No. 5.

“It’s been very good,” he said of the transition. “Obviously we loved Vancouver but it’s been a nice change both on and off the ice. We are really enjoying all the new experiences.”

One of those “new” experiences is driving to the practice rink in shorts and a T-shirt. That, Ohlund noted, is not among the toughest things to take.

“You adjust easily,” he chuckled. “But even though you go to the rink in shorts and a T-shirt, once you get inside, you have no idea what it’s like outside. It feels like you could be anywhere.”

Ohlund, 33, is an integral part of a revamped Lightning blueline. He has four assists and is a plus-1 in nine games — Tampa is 3-3-3 — and he has been partnered with much touted rookie and fellow Swede Victor Hedman since the season began.

It’s no secret Lightning GM Brian Lawton wanted Ohlund to mentor Hedman, just as Ohlund had done in Vancouver with the likes of Brent Sopel and Alex Edler.

Hedman was drafted second overall last June. Not coincidentally, he has four assists and is a plus-1, numbers identical to Ohlund.

“Victor is a very, very talented guy,” Ohlund said. “He still has a lot to learn but, for being 18, he’s very mature and obviously he has a ton of skill. So it’s been fun playing with him.”

The Lightning don’t play in Vancouver this season so Ohlund’s only chance to skate in a meaningful game at GM Place will be during the Olympics. He is hoping to be selected and likely will if he remains healthy.

He was a member of the

2006 gold-medal winning Swedish team although he

didn’t suit up for the final in Turin due to injury.

“Absolutely, I would like to play in the Olympics,” Ohlund stated. “They haven’t picked the team yet but I’m obviously hoping to make it. After playing so many years in Vancouver, that would be a lot of fun. It feels like a long ways away, which it’s not, but it feels like it because we have so many games before that.”

Only 52 more, to be exact, and the 49th will be a home game against the Canucks. Ohlund admits he is keeping a keen eye on his ex-mates and talks regularly to a few of the boys.

“I watch the highlights and I watched a little bit of their game against Edmonton,” he said. “I know they had a rough start to the season but they’ve played a lot better lately. They have a great team there.

“Our team? We’ve had some good games and some not-so good games. This is a team here that’s been close to the worst record in the league the last two years so we have a long way to go. But I do feel we’re going to be able to compete for a playoff spot.”

Whatever the case, Ohlund is clearly happy to be feeling the heat, not the rain, during an NHL season.

Tampa Bay related: strip shootout?

So being on vacation away from BC doesn't allow for any NHL following apparently. I knew the Canucks weren't doing well, Daniel and Sami were out on IR and that Tampa Bay wasn't doing so hot either.

What I didn't expect was to see some video about St. Louis shedding articles of clothing in consequence to not scoring on shootout. Martin St. Louis shooting vid. Here's the full youtube: No, it wasn't anything indecent but definitely cute. Apparently, when it came time for shootout, Ohlie got called before him, which surprised some TB fans. Go Ohlie!

Pub appearance for Ohlund and Walker

I guess the Lightning have a lot of public appearances for the players, which is no different than here, although the venues and public reaction is. In Vancouver, Mattias would be mobbed by hundreds of fans wanting an autograph and photos. In Tampa, maybe a 100 would show to have a drink with him. Haha! The TB vibe sounds good to me!
Look at how chill Ohlie is while answering questions. He looks happy and less stressed. Good for you Mattias! We miss you here.