So, the news came out officially today that the Tampa Bay Lightning’s new ownership has pulled the plug on the Lightning College Classic, the Christmas-time tournament that Notre Dame had arranged. This struck most of us as odd, immediately, considering that Tampa is hosting the 2012 Frozen Four.

The tournament was arranged by Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson with this in mind, in addition to it being a fun venue for a tournament. And he had a relationship with some members of the previous ownership group.

Our friend Ken Schott has suggested the NCAA move the 2012 Frozen Four. It’s well documented that I didn’t like the idea of having the FF there when it was awarded a few years ago, but I’m not sure I’ll go as far as Ken here. But I share his puzzlement, and the decision was just as perplexing to everyone we spoke to.

This includes Jackson, who is the one who has had direct dealings with Tampa’s management about the issue. He never really heard a direct reason for the decision, but assumes it had to do with finances. In the process, however, Tampa’s new ownership has taken a narrow view of the situation, and consequently pissed off college hockey. This is not a way to ramp up for the Frozen Four.

You could say that this decision will have no bearing on the quality of that Frozen Four. After all, the FF stands on its own these days. But having local support of the media and residents of that community is always a plus for the atmosphere of the event. It’s one reason I didn’t want it there to begin with.

I asked Jackson if he thought that this was the result of direct animosity towards college hockey, and he didn’t think so, considering the people involved in the new ownership include Brian Lawton, Barry Melrose and Cap Raeder. But it’s still annoying, perplexing and a bit maddening.

Friday, August 29th, 2008 - 10:45 pm | Commentary