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Lightning Nuts & Bolts: Stralman okay on guitar, great with Ikea furniture

 
Associated Press
Associated Press
Published Feb. 7, 2016

Short shift w/ D Anton Stralman

Go-to karaoke song: I don't think I've ever done karaoke. I sang Enter Sandman by Metallica, had to sing on my bachelor party because they sent me to a music studio to make fun of me. But I nailed it.

What can you play on your guitar? I actually started when I first moved in with (wife) Johanna. Kind of had to give up the video game there. I played some music growing up, played jazz flute for how many years in school. I probably picked it to please my mom. I always wanted to play guitar, and I picked it up, self-taught myself to somewhat of a (bad) level. I play mostly grunge stuff, like Alice in Chains.

Your best handyman skill: I put together Ikea furniture. We've moved around so much, it seems every place we've gone to, Ikea is always there. I put together 100 items from Ikea over the years, so I'm really good at that.

Favorite restaurant in Tampa: I always been a big fan of Boca. We ended up there when we first got here on a fluke, really, on the way home from the beach. Good food, good service, and good with the kids.

Must-read book/author: I was reading Song of Ice and Fire, by George Martin. I read a lot of Stephen King. The Stand is unbelievable. I read the Dan Brown books; those are an easy read. I'm reading a biography about Alice in Chains. I lost a bet to my wife, so I had to read a Twilight book. I'll read anything. It's so nice to get lost.

Rave reviews

Steven Stamkos is no stranger to the All-Star Game. He's a four-time selection. But he said last weekend's experience in Nashville will be tough to top. "Probably one of the better ones I've been to," he said.

Stamkos liked the game's new 3-on-3 tournament format, saying it made the play better and more competitive than years past. The $1 million prize shared by the winning team didn't hurt player motivation.

G Ben Bishop said he enjoyed every part of his first All-Star appearance and was happy for enforcer John Scott, who became the unlikely MVP and hero after reports the league tried to talk him out of playing. It didn't matter that Scott's Pacific Division team — he was voted its captain by fans — beat Bishop and Stamkos' Atlantic team 1-0 in the final. "The city and the players and everyone involved kind of rallied around (Scott). It was nice to see his team win," Stamkos said. "Obviously the cherry on top with the new car for MVP."

Quote to note

"You can move from first in the division down to sixth pretty quick."

Red Wings C Brad Richards, a former Lightning star, on how tight the Atlantic Division is

High praise

"That was as good a performance I've seen by any team all year."

NBCSN analyst Eddie Olczyk, on the Lightning's 2-1 win over the Blackhawks on Jan. 21

From the fans

What made you start playing hockey as a kid?

RW Erik Condra: My uncle (Kirt Bjork) played hockey, played in college (at Notre Dame), and it's just in my mom's side of my family. My grandpa lived on Woodmoor Lake (in Colorado), so every winter we'd go skate on his ice.

Have a question for a Lightning player? Email it to joesmith@tampabay.com or send them on Twitter to @TBTimes_JSmith. We'll answer one every Sunday.