TAMPA, Fla. — Aside from its back-to-back Stanley Cup wins and third trip to the finals this season, the success of the Tampa Bay Lighting is shining where the team practices at the TGH Ice Plex in Tampa.
Gideon Lippy, 8, and his 5-year-old brother Uriah have been swept up in the excitement of the Bolts, now playing hockey themselves in the TGH Ice Plex Summer Hockey Camp.
“It’s fast, it’s fun, you don’t get sweaty,” Gideon said. “Why I love hockey is because to get the Stanley Cup and shoot goals.”
It’s a youth hockey program that has grown quickly in recent years.
In fact, to get into the program today, there is a waiting list.
Coach Ryan Cronin says it is a credit to the Lightning Organization on, and off the ice.
“I started this job about three years ago in August, and the numbers were very good at that point, too, but obviously, as we have gone through the last three seasons and the Lightning winning back-to-back cups and now being in the finals, the numbers are just pooling, they are overflowing.”
And fans are expected to overflow watch parties across Tampa Bay Wednesday night.
Thunder Ally outside Amalie Arena opens at 5:30 p.m., with the arena itself opening one hour before puck drop for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final.
Tickets are available for $10.
