Not that you asked, but I enjoyed first regular season ECHL game tonight. I tried to get really into it, but the Everblades are just not my team. The Lightning will always be my team. But it was still a great game. The Blades tore through Mississippi with a 6-1 win.

I felt a little strange about it though, considering Sea Wolves goalie Morgan Cey is a Lightning prospect. He looked like crap, basically.

Anyway, I took a bunch of photos, so I'll run through a couple of them since you're here and reading this.

The Seminole Indian Tribe sponsored a bunch of blinking necklaces that were handed out as freebies when you walked in the door. It gave the arena a very interesting look during the the pre-game ceremonies.

The 2007-08 team was introduced to fans attending the opening night game. I don't really know any of them. Although I did meet captain Ernie Hartlieb and Steve Czech. They were interviewed on the television show that I work on.

Also, during the ceremony, the Everblades retired a couple of jersey numbers — the first in team history. All in all, these ceremonies honoring retired players and such lasted forever. The game was supposed to start at 7:30 PM. The puck didn't drop until after 8:30.

But when it did, it was fun to watch. I think I've been spoiled by the quality of NHL hockey in watching the Lightning over the last 15 years, but it was still entertaining hockey at Germain Arena, nonetheless.

I definitely plan on checking out more games as the season goes on. Well worth it, if you ask me. But I still miss going to Lightning games.