The Tampa Bay Lightning, gearing up for their abbreviated 2012 - 2013 season, sent out a press release on Thursday which highlights a new initiative by the club (and by local cable sports station BHSN) to highlight local scholastic hockey programs

It begins tonight with a pair of games to be played at Oldsmar Skating Academy. The full press release is below.

LIGHTNING KICKOFF "FRIDAY NIGHT ICE" THIS FRIDAY

Bright House Sports Network to Televise Two Games in Conjunction with "Friday Night Ice"

TAMPA BAY – The Tampa Bay Lightning will be taking over the Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar and continuing its support of high school hockey this Friday, January 11, with its first "Friday Night Ice." "Friday Night Ice" will feature four area high school games with a Lightning touch. Below is a schedule of the first "Friday Night Ice" games with two of the games being broadcast on Bright House Sports Network:

· 7:30 p.m. - Mitchell vs. East Lake (Bright House Sports Network)

· 8:45 p.m. – Jesuit vs. Berkeley Prep

· 9:00 p.m. – Gaither Sickles vs. Freedom (Bright House Sports Network)

· 10:15 p.m. – Newsome vs. Palm Harbor

"Friday Night Ice" games will shadow Lightning home games with the presence of Rolling Thunder, the Lightning’s mobile fan truck, along with interactive games and giveaways for fans in attendance. The Lightning Girls and the Bolt Brigade will be participating in "Friday Night Ice" as well, cheering on teams and interacting with fans. Patrons in attendance will also have the opportunity to take advantage of many Lightning special ticket offers.

Tampa Bay’s "Friday Night Ice" will be showcasing high school hockey in the Bay Area with a Lightning feel on Friday night’s for the majority of the high school hockey season, which ends on February 8. "Friday Night Ice" is geared towards building and developing high school hockey in Tampa Bay and surrounding areas. The Lightning are dedicated to the growth and development of youth hockey throughout the state of Florida and "Friday Night Ice" is another way the organization continues to support that initiative.