Lightning Radio Network Returns With Full 2009-10 Schedule

Once again Tampa Bay Lightning fans can count on the Lightning Radio Network to bring the unmatched excitement of Lightning hockey to the airwaves all season long. The Lightning Radio Network will air seven preseason games, beginning with the September 16 matchup in Dallas, and all 82 regular season games on AM 620 WDAE, The Sports Animal.

Dave Mishkin returns for his seventh season as play-by-play announcer for the Lightning, and he will be joined at all home games by Lightning founder Phil Esposito as he returns for his ninth season as color analyst. Esposito and Mishkin will team up for a very special feature during each home game, as we give seven minutes to Espo to discuss whatever is on his mind in the National Hockey League. “Seven with Seven” will make its debut Friday, September 18th, when the Lightning host the Atlanta Thrashers. Matt Sammon returns for his fourth season as game day host, presenting the pregame, intermission and postgame reports for all games. Sammon will also pair with Sun Sports color analyst Bobby “The Chief” Taylor as hosts of Lightning Hockey Hotline, the official postgame call-in show of the Lightning live from Trolley’s American Café and Sports Bar at the Embassy Suites Downtown following each Lightning home game on 620 WDAE.

Also returning to the airwaves in its usual Wednesday night timeslot is Lightning Hockey Night on 620 WDAE. Each Wednesday night at 7 p.m. (when the Lightning is not playing), Rick Peckham, Dave Andreychuk, Chris Dingman, and Matt Sammon will bring Lightning fans all the latest news and player interviews from Tampa Bay and around the National Hockey League. Beginning in October 2009, Lightning Hockey Night will welcome Grow Financial Federal Credit Union as the program’s title sponsor.

The Lightning Radio Network reaches an estimated 3.3 million residents across the state of Florida from as far north as Brooksville, as far east as Daytona Beach, as far south as Port St. Lucie and worldwide at TampaBayLightning.com.

Due to scheduling conflicts during the 2009 preseason, Lightning hockey can be heard locally in the Tampa Bay area on 970 WFLA-AM and 1250 WHNZ-AM.

Date                 Opponent                     Location          Broadcast Start            Radio Station

9/16                  Dallas Stars                  Dallas, TX          8 p.m.                           WFLA

9/18                  Atlanta Thrashers           Tampa, FL         7 p.m.                           WFLA

9/21                  Ottawa Senators            Regina, SK        8:30 p.m.                      WDAE

9/22                  Phoenix Coyotes           Everett, WA       10 p.m.                         WFLA

9/23                  Phoenix Coyotes           Loveland, CO     8:30 p.m.                      WFLA

9/24                  Edmonton Oilers            Winnipeg, MB    8 p.m.                           WDAE

9/27                  Atlanta Thrashers           Atlanta, GA       4:30 p.m.                      WHNZ*

*Broadcast will be simulcast on 620 WDAE-AM following NFL football