>> OUT OF EVERY POSSIBLE WEEKEND FOR THERE TO BE OUTDOOR HOCKEY HERE ON THE GULF COAST, THE NHL PICKED A GREAT WEEK FOR IT. WE’VE GOT HOCKEY WEATHER UP AND DOWN THE GULF COAST OF FLORIDA, GULF COAST PORTS BROADER BADLY. SCHIMMEL WAS AT RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM TO PREVIEW TOMORROW’S HISTORIC GAME. >> HAPPY GASPARILLA WEEKEND, EVERYONE. AND WELCOME TO RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM, THE HOME FOR THE 2026 STADIUM SERIES. IT’S TIME TO BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES BECAUSE PRETTY SOON WE’RE GOING TO BE PLAYING SOME PROFESSIONAL OUTDOOR HOCKEY IN TAMPA. THERE WAS WORRY THAT PERHAPS THE FLORIDA HEAT COULD BE A PROBLEM, BUT IT APPEARS THAT THE HOCKEY GODS ARE LOOKING OUT FOR EVERYONE. BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND OF HOCKEY WEATHER ON THE HORIZON WITH NEAR FREEZING TEMPERATURES FORECASTED FOR PUCK DROP. WE MIGHT EVEN SEE SOME SNOW HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 49 YEARS. NOW, EVEN WITH WINTER WEATHER IN THE FORECAST, THE NHL ISN’T TAKING ANY CHANCES FOR RAIN, HEAT, SNOW, SLEET, WHATEVER THE ELEMENTS, MAYBE THEY’RE ALL STAYING CLEAR. THE ICE. SO THIS BABY RIGHT HERE, A CLIMATE CONTROLLED 10TH THAT BLOCKS OUT THE ELEMENTS AND KEEPS THE ICE FRENCH. THIS TIME WILL BE REMOVED ON THE DAY. THE GAME EXPOSING THE ICE FOR THE WORLD TO SEE. THESE ARE SOME WILD PRECAUTIONS. YES, BUT THERE’S A REASON FOR IT. ALL THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH FLORIDA LOVE AFFAIR HOCKEY. I DON’T KNOW. >> 13 YEARS I’VE BEEN IN TAMPA. I WILL FEEL THE TEMPERATURE IS COLD. IN 13 YEARS AS IT’S GOING TO BE TOMORROW. THIS GAME WAS MEANT TO BE PLAYED COLD WEATHER. AND I I THINK FOR IT’S 65,000 PEOPLE. I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE COMING FROM THE NORTH. EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN THROUGH LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVEN’T. >> FOR THEM, I’M HAPPY. >> BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS WHAT WE’VE EXPERIENCED ENTIRE LIFE, YOU KNOW, ON THE FROZEN POND. OUTSIDE PLAYING TILL DARK AND ESSENTIALLY THAT’S WE’RE GOING TO BE DOING TO BE EYESIGHT. I’LL KIND WAS. >> I WOULD SAY SURPRISED WHEN I THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON, THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS. BUT THE >> AND IT SEEMS TO WORKING SO FAR IN THE THE GRATEFUL AND THIS A BUNCH OF KIDS WILL BE THAT GAME >> POGO MINE. I STILL BOOST SPARK A FEW DREAMS THEM. KUZMA. ONE DAY ONE OF THEM WILL IN MY PLACE. WE KNOW YOU KNOW, HAVING FUN, THE PUCK WILL BE DROPPED RIGHT HERE ON SUNDAY NIGHT AT 06:30PM. IF YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING. >> PLEASE DRESS ACCORDINGLY. THAT MEANS LAYERS. I KNOW WE DON’T DO THAT OFTEN IN FLORIDA. BUT IF YOU’RE CALM AND YOU DEFINITELY NEED LAYERS, IT IS GOING TO BE HOCKEY WEATHER BECAUSE AFTER ALL, IT’S A HOCKEY TOWN
Tampa Bay Lightning prepare to play outdoor hockey at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday
On Sunday evening, the Tampa Bay Lightning will face off against the Boston Bruins in an outdoor hockey game at Raymond James Stadium as part of the 2026 NHL Stadium Series
Updated: 6:31 PM EST Jan 31, 2026
It’s time to batten down the hatches because there will be outdoor professional hockey being played in Tampa this Sunday.There was worry that perhaps the Florida heat could be a problem, but it appears that the hockey gods are looking out for everyone.The forecast for the Gulf Coast features a beautiful weekend of hockey weather with near-freezing temperatures forecasted for puck drop. It might even snow in Tampa for the first time in 49 years.In spite of the cool temperatures, the NHL isn’t taking any chances.Heat, rain, snow, sleet, hail, all are staying clear thanks to a climate-controlled tent that blocks out the elements and keeps the ice fresh.The tent will be removed on the day of the game, exposing the ice for the world to see.These are some pretty wild precautions, but there is a reason for it all; the people of South Florida love their hockey.Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said, “I don’t know that in the 13 years I’ve been in Tampa, I will feel a temperature as cold in 13 years as it’s going to be tomorrow, and this game is meant to be played in cold weather. I know a lot of people that are coming from the north have already experienced this, but there are a lot of people that haven’t, and for them I’m happy because this is what we’ve experienced for our entire life on the frozen pond, outside, playing till dark and essentially that’s what we’re going to be doing.”Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy said, “To be honest, I was really surprised when I heard at the beginning of the season that they would do something like this, but it seems to be working so far, and tomorrow it should be pretty full. Obviously, a bunch of kids will be watching the game, and I hope that it will give them a nice little boost to spark a few dreams because maybe one day, one of them will be in my place, playing outdoors and having fun.”The puck will drop at 6:30 p.m. EST on Sunday night, and if you plan on attending, make sure you’re bundled up with plenty of layers. We’re a hockey town, and we’re going to be dealing with some hockey weather, so dress accordingly.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
TAMPA, Fla. —
It’s time to batten down the hatches because there will be outdoor professional hockey being played in Tampa this Sunday.
There was worry that perhaps the Florida heat could be a problem, but it appears that the hockey gods are looking out for everyone.
The forecast for the Gulf Coast features a beautiful weekend of hockey weather with near-freezing temperatures forecasted for puck drop. It might even snow in Tampa for the first time in 49 years.
In spite of the cool temperatures, the NHL isn’t taking any chances.
Heat, rain, snow, sleet, hail, all are staying clear thanks to a climate-controlled tent that blocks out the elements and keeps the ice fresh.
The tent will be removed on the day of the game, exposing the ice for the world to see.
These are some pretty wild precautions, but there is a reason for it all; the people of South Florida love their hockey.
Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said, “I don’t know that in the 13 years I’ve been in Tampa, I will feel a temperature as cold in 13 years as it’s going to be tomorrow, and this game is meant to be played in cold weather. I know a lot of people that are coming from the north have already experienced this, but there are a lot of people that haven’t, and for them I’m happy because this is what we’ve experienced for our entire life on the frozen pond, outside, playing till dark and essentially that’s what we’re going to be doing.”
Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy said, “To be honest, I was really surprised when I heard at the beginning of the season that they would do something like this, but it seems to be working so far, and tomorrow it should be pretty full. Obviously, a bunch of kids will be watching the game, and I hope that it will give them a nice little boost to spark a few dreams because maybe one day, one of them will be in my place, playing outdoors and having fun.”
The puck will drop at 6:30 p.m. EST on Sunday night, and if you plan on attending, make sure you’re bundled up with plenty of layers. We’re a hockey town, and we’re going to be dealing with some hockey weather, so dress accordingly.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.