While I really like how the Tampa Bay Lightning have been having these occasional watch parties, keeping the fanbase engaged while the team is on the road, I sometimes get put off by the fact that all of the parties are in Downtown Tampa (sans one, back in November, in Palm Harbor).

That being said, yet another watch party will be taking place -- this Saturday at Champions in the Marriott Waterside Hotel.  The full press release is below:

 LIGHTNING TO HOST WATCH PARTY, LIVE RADIO SHOW JANUARY 8

Fans Invited to View Lightning/Senators Game, Lightning Radio Broadcast

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning will host a watch party for the first contest of their back-to-back set against the Ottawa Senators at Champions Sports Bar, located within the Marriott Waterside Hotel across the street from the St. Pete Times Forum, on Saturday, January 8 from 6 p.m. until the conclusion of the game.

Television play-by-play commentator Rick Peckham and color analyst Bobby "the Chief" Taylor will provide all the action beginning at 7 p.m. on Sun Sports, while the voice of Lightning Radio, Dave Mishkin, will deliver the call on flagship station AM 620 WDAE. Director of Radio Programming Matt Sammon will join the broadcast live from Champions during each intermission and after the game for analysis between periods, as well as the postgame report.

In addition to the excitement of Lightning hockey, fans will also have the opportunity to win prizes and participate in meet-and-greets with Thunderbug, the Lightning Girls and more. There will also be on-site contests in which fans may enter to win an autographed Steven Stamkos stick, as well as four tickets to the January 18 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. In addition, one lucky fan will earn the chance to win two tickets to the Cage Club for the game against the Blue Jackets by submitting their RSVP on the Lightning’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/lightning.nhl. Food and beverage specials will also be offered, including $8 nachos and wings and $10 Miller and Coors buckets.

Fans are encouraged to visit tampabaylightning.com to keep up with all the latest news surrounding the team, as well as information regarding upcoming watch parties and future events.