The Lightning have used their extended home stand to honor the ten year anniversary of the team’s Stanley Cup victory in 2004. It started on Saturday with a number of the 2004 alumni attending the game and mingling with fans who purchased tickets to the North Party Suite. Sunday saw the Tampa Bay Times Forum open its doors for Sunday with Stanley.
Things got underway on the West Plaza around 11 am. The Stanley Cup had a place of honor near the stage and the 2004 alums were announced and took their position to greet the fans. A few were seated while others circulated among the crowd. Anyone who wonders if people care about hockey in Florida only needed to take a look at the line that snaked for a great distance for a chance to have a moment with the guys. The team store was filled with re-issued versions of the Stanley Cup champions shirts as well as Game 7 pucks and pins. Doors opened at noon and fans streamed in from the sunshine.
This year’s incarnation of the Lightning were on the ice for a practice session. Ben Bishop, Valtteri Filppula and Steven Stamkos were noticeably absent from the group. Jon Cooper and other members of the coaching staff put the boys through their paces. A number of the drills involved bringing the puck into the offensive zone and setting up for scoring chances. A lot of work was done around Anders Lindback in net. In one exercise, goalie coach Frantz Jean would stand in the corner by the boards and pass up to one of the skaters. They would take a shot in close on Lindback, receive a second puck and get another chance.
After the players left the ice, the crowd was treated to a Hockey 101 informational session run by Lightning owner Jeff Vinik. If really needs to be said what a unique experience this was. It’s hard to think of any other team in the league where the owner will spend an hour and a half discussing hockey and answering questions directly from a crowd of fans. Lightning fans, our team is in good hands. Mr. Vinik gets it.
Season ticket holders who have renewed for 2014-15 got the opportunity for a private photo op with the Stanley Cup on the terrace level. Game 7 of the 2004 Stanley Cup Finals was shown on the video board while fans got the chance to have a public skate on the Forum ice. An absolutely fantastic event and a great day for fans to celebrate 2004.
The Lightning get some flak about organization of events from time to time, but this was absolutely top notch. The celebration continues tomorrow when former coach John Tortorella comes to town with the Vancouver Canucks. All fans in attendance will receive a replica of the Stanley Cup ring. It’s been a great weekend celebrating the past and enjoying great hockey in the present. The Bolts really need to win the Cup again. This has been entirely too much fun.
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