If Joe recalls correctly, didn’t Fart Williams claim he was going to erect a statue of Bolts father Phil Esposito in the plaza outside the Ice Palace?

Now, Joe may be under the influence of too many adult beverages when he goes to Bolts games — beer and hockey is a marriage made in heaven — but Joe has never seen such a statue.

At any rate, when Espo talks, Joe listens. And Espo was talking recently with eye-RAH! Kaufman of the Tampa Tribune. Seems Espo, the current Bolts radio analyst  is rather fond — thus far — of this Jeffrey Vinik guy, Red Sox minority owner and the new leader of the Lightning.

“One thing I like is he’s a single owner - no partners, no arguments,” Esposito said after Vinik purchased the club, paying cash. “It’s his way, and that’s the way it’s going to be. I like that.

“Quite frankly, that’s the way it was under Palace Sports and Bill Davidson, and the franchise was well-run.”

With Oren Koules and Len Barrie rarely agreeing on the team’s direction, Tampa Bay struggled in the standings and in the arena. With Vinik looking on, Saturday night’s game was a sellout.

“This is a great hockey market, and Jeff Vinik is determined to bring it back as a great hockey market,” Esposito said.

Yes, it’s still early. The honeymoon for Vinik has yet to start. Seems Bolts fans may finally be realizing the Bolts are on the cusp of a playoff run, and sold the house out last night.

Or, as Joe is more inclined to believe, maybe the economy is picking up?

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