Pictured above: Tampa Bay’s 2021 Stanley Cup champions banner is raised into the rafters of Amalie Arena on Oct. 12.
Courtesy of the Tampa Bay Lightning
By Max Steele
Hockey is finally back, and so are the back-to-back reigning Stanley Cup champions.
The Tampa Bay Lightning kicked off the regular season in the most fashionable way possible: the championship banner raised into the rafters of Amalie Arena.
The Lightning hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins on Oct. 12, marking the first game of the National Hockey League’s (NHL) 2021-22 season.
The Penguins spoiled the Lightning’s special night with a 6-2 victory, reminding Tampa Bay that opposing teams will be eager to take a shot at the defending champs.
The Lightning responded with a thrilling 7-6 comeback win in overtime against the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 14 and a 2-1 overtime victory against the Washington Capitals on Oct. 16.
Earlier this month, the organization re-signed head coach Jon Cooper, the mastermind behind the back-to-back championship operation. Cooper’s new contract extends through the 2024-25 season, allowing him to remain as the longest tenured current head coach in the NHL.
“[Cooper] is the best person for the job,” Tampa Bay’s General Manager Julien BriseBois said during a press release. “He is a great leader … we are lucky to have him as our head coach and I look forward to our continued partnership.”
After retaining their core players and head coach from the 2020-21 championship season, this Lightning team is confident in its ability to replicate last year’s success and look to achieve the first ever three-peat in Tampa Bay sports history.
The Lightning play next on Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. against the Florida Panthers at Amalie Arena.
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