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As it was reported yesterday by ESPN, the Tampa Bay Lightning will no longer require fans of opposing teams not to wear jerseys of their teams in the Lightning’s premium seats and club lounges. The policy, originally presented in 2015 after a request by premium ticket holders, applies to the first three seating rows behind the ice and the Chase Club area on the south side of Amalie Arena.
The Tampa Bay Lightning will no longer enforce a policy that restricts fans from wearing gear supporting other NHL clubs in their premium seating areas, the team tells ESPN. This decision comes after a viral video featuring Panthers fans confronted by arena staff. More to come.
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) May 28, 2021
The Lightning decided to retire its policy after a video appeared on Youtube, showing a Florida fan and his 11-year-old son sitting in the second row behind the glass, who were confronted by a couple of arena employees, asking them to either switch their Panthers gear to the Lightning, or they would be given a refund and asked to leave the seats. One of the Lightning’s employee also threatened to call Tampa police, if the man continued arguing.
Several hours after this video emerged on Youtube and other social websites, the Lightning released a statement via the Tampa Bay Times, where they announced that the team decided to relax its visiting team apparel policy.
“After careful consideration the Lightning have elected to relax its visiting team apparel policy in the premium clubs for playoff games at Amalie Arena. The policy was originally instituted in 2015 at the request of our valued ticket holders in those areas, but we realize we have grown as an organization and as a hockey market since that time and it is no longer necessary.”
Lightning Links
The opening game of the the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Carolina Hurricanes is scheduled for Sunday, May 30 at 5 p.m. ET in Raleigh. Game 1 will be broadcasted by NBCSN in the United States and on Sportsnet and TVA Sports in Canada.
We open the #CARvsTBL series this Sunday, May 30 in Raleigh at 5pm ET! ⚡️https://t.co/EgUmndoT5f
— Tampa Bay Lightning (@TBLightning) May 28, 2021
According to Dom Luszczyszyn of the Athletic, Tampa Bay is a slight favourite in the second-round matchup against Carolina, thanks to Nikita Kucherov, who gives his team an additional edge.
Hurricanes vs. Lightning series preview
— dom at the athletic (@domluszczyszyn) May 28, 2021
If not for Kucherov this would be a 50/50 series, but he gives the Lightning a decent edge in a showdown between two similarly constructed teams.https://t.co/q5FtWfCUnt pic.twitter.com/uIR1iF62wb
The Lightning’s power play was a major X-factor in the first-round win over the Panthers. Shayna Goldman of the Athletic breaks down their strengths and weaknesses.
Since the Lightning's power play is filled with talent, penalty killers, according to Joel Quenneville, have to 'pick your poison.'
— Shayna (@hayyyshayyy) May 28, 2021
Diving into Tampa Bay's dynamic power play with @JoeSmithTB #GoBolts https://t.co/9PvIG4EZgn pic.twitter.com/Ggl00PVerf
The Orlando Solar Bears were defeated by the Florida Everblades in overtime of Friday’s game.
Tonight's @AdventHealth Postgame Report: https://t.co/w8t1160Uqi
— Orlando Solar Bears (@OrlandoHockey) May 29, 2021
The Lightning’s prospects Max Cajkovic recorded an assist in the opening game of the QMJHL Final, but his team the Val-d’Or Foreurs still lost to the Victoriaville Tigres 2-3.
Here’s a look at the assist from Cajkovic
— Future Bolts (@LightningProsp1) May 29, 2021
Great stretch pass through the middle to find an open man to finish with the goal. pic.twitter.com/ZUG2c5skmJ
The Syracuse Crunch recent signing Shawn Element has also recorded an assist in this game.
Here’s a look at the assist from Element
— Future Bolts (@LightningProsp1) May 29, 2021
Makes a breakout pass before going to make a like change and his teammates do the rest. pic.twitter.com/5BRRkTKDq0
Yesterday’s Games
Minnesota Wild 2, Vegas Golden Knights 6 — VGK wins 4-3
The Golden Knights defeated the Wild in Game 7 of their first-round series and will face the Colorado Avalanche in the second round. Mattias Janmark scored his first NHL hat-trick and Max Pacioretty scored his first goal since May 1.
Today’s Games
Toronto Maple Leafs @ Montreal Canadiens — TOR leads 3-2, Round One
7:30 PM ET; NBCSN, CBC, TVAS, SN
New York Islanders @ Boston Bruins — Game One, Round Two
8:00 PM ET, NBC, SN360, TVAS2