We are officially less than 10 days away the first ever outdoor NHL game in Tampa. Our Bolts are going to be taking on the Boston Bruins for this once in a lifetime event. The Lightning have been trying to prove for years that Tampa deserves to host a stadium series game, and now it’s become a reality. Even Lightning captain Victor Hedman calls it a “dream come true”.
As That’s So Tampa pointed out, this is going to be the biggest weekend in Tampa. The weekend kicks off with a sold-out show from Tampa native Bert Kreischer at Benchmark International Arena. Then pirate ships invade the city on Saturday for the annual Gasparilla parade. The crowds for Gaspy is nothing new to us in Tampa, but with all the Boston folks flying in for the game, it may feel more crowded than normal. Then Sunday’s game kicks off with Tim McGraw hitting the stage before the Bolts take the ice.
So how is an outdoor rink going to happen in Tampa when the average temp for around this year is 70 degrees? “The quality of the ice has to be in a good spot,” Bolts head coach Jon Cooper said.
Well the NHL has been hard at work constructing a state of the art rink with a temperature controlled tent sealing the rink and keeping the conditions ideal for the game. Puck drop is expected to happen later, around 8pm.
What happens if the forecast calls for rain? Chief Executive Officer Steve Griggs said they will do everything in their power to play on the 1st, even if it’s postponing hours for a rain delay.
The rivalry between the Bolts and Bruins has always been an intense match. Boston is known for their rowdy fan base and how well they travel to support the team. Expect to see a lot of yellow in those stands on Sunday.