A Thing of Beauty

by John Fontana on Aug 20, 2005 5:32 PM EDT in Tampa Bay Times Forum

A few days ago I mentioned the St. Pete Times Forum sitting in silence.

What I didn't mention was the change in status this week... The beautiful sight that I witnessed as it was created over the last few days... I can't create a thumbnail but I can tell you what it is:

There be ICE there!

The Crest is down, the lines are down, "Thank you Fans!" is written at the bluelines...

Hockey is almost here!

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Upon further review, I notice there is no advertising on the floor yet. I wonder if this paint scheme is just for pre-season games.

Still…it was very emotional, seeing the Zamboni circulating in there this afternoon.

by Mike on Aug 20, 2005 7:25 PM EDT reply actions

Mike’s comment regarding “no advertising on the Floor” is alittle confusing. If the comment refers to the advertising on the boards, those ads get put up just before opening night of regular season. There are no ads on the boards during preseason games other than ads for the NHL.

by missK on Aug 21, 2005 2:51 AM EDT reply actions

I believe Mike was making reference to ON ICE — the actual FLOOR. I was waiting for NEXTEL or something else to be stenciled onto the ice at the same time the crest was being applied at center ice… I was surprised it didn’t happen

by John F. on Aug 21, 2005 8:03 AM EDT reply actions

Yup, John. I at least expect to see the NHL crest somewhere on the floor. It just looks s little bare.

by Mike on Aug 21, 2005 9:09 AM EDT reply actions

The only ads on the ice are national contracts with the NHL. The NHL drives those and again, those ads are not added until the regular season.

You have to remember the sponsors are paying big bucks for advertising during TV broadcasts. The Lightning have no TV broadcasts during pre-season.

by missK on Aug 21, 2005 11:10 AM EDT reply actions

Wouldn’t it be more accurate, in light of the strike, if it read, “Thank you fan”?

by Jeff on Aug 22, 2005 6:40 PM EDT reply actions

When was their a STRIKE in Hockey? Do you guys know? I know nothing of a STRIKE in the NHL…

And seeing they need a lottery to disperse tickets for opening night, I would think the plural FANS is much more appropriate.

by John F. on Aug 22, 2005 7:50 PM EDT reply actions

“Thank You Fans” – glad to see the NHL has a good grasp on punctuation. if I’m not mistaken, there’s supposed to be a comma in that. And why are they thanking us??? We should thank them for a GREAT 2004-2005 season… wait… there wasn’t one. nevermind.

And I know this is a little too late but did anyone actually think sports would go back to pre-advertising days? I mean come on, no on-ice advertising? YEAH RIGHT! HAAAA!!!!!!! Just wait till it’s on the uniforms. Oh joy.

This comment brought to you by Abe’s Grocery.

by Sinjin von Hoogstratten on Oct 6, 2005 7:53 AM EDT reply actions