The Lightning defeated the Predators 3-2 in the Stadium Series hosted at Nissan Stadium’s outdoor venue.
Courtesy of Candice Lovelace | The Crow’s Nest
By Candice Lovelace
The Tampa Bay Lightning defeated the Nashville Predators in the 2022 Navy Federal Credit Union National Hockey League (NHL) Stadium Series at Nissan Stadium on Feb. 26.
The Lightning won 3-2 in front of a sellout crowd of more than 68,000 fans in attendance –– the seventh-highest attended game in league history.
More than 20,000 Lightning fans traveled to Nashville to support their team as Tampa Bay debuted in their first outdoor game.
The night before the highly anticipated game, Lightning fans sported their blue and white jerseys as they enjoyed a night out downtown.
“I took a walk right when we got to the hotel, and I didn’t see anyone that wasn’t a Lightning fan,” Lightning forward Alex Killorn said after the team practiced at Nissan Stadium the night before the game.
Lightning players and coaches noticed the impressive turnout of Lightning fans that made the trip to Nashville.
“This is a great moment for us to be a part of. You’re seeing the last couple of days a lot of blue and white outside. We’ve got a great following coming here with us. We’re super excited to make them proud,” Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman said.
According to Lightning forward Pat Maroon, “it felt like there were more Tampa fans than Nashville fans.”
Leading up to the game, fans had the opportunity to experience the NHL PreGame Fan Celebration and Bridgestone Winter Park.
The PreGame fan celebration allowed fans to test their hockey skills in challenges such as bullseye battles, precision passing challenge and target practice. It also offered a photo opportunity with the Stanley Cup ––the championship trophy awarded at the end of each NHL season.
Bridgestone Winter Park featured activities such as the National Hockey League’s Black Hockey History Truck and a hockey trophy display featuring the Vezina Trophy, the King Clancy Award, Clarence Campbell Bowl and the President’s Trophy.
As soon as the puck dropped on game day, Nissan Stadium erupted with the sounds of chanting from both teams’ fans. Lightning fans chanted, “Let’s go Lightning!” while Predators’ fans chanted, “Let’s go Predators!”
Just over eight minutes into the first period, the Predators scored the first goal of the game.
The Lightning wasted no time in the second period, as Tampa Bay forward Brayden Point scored for his team just 58 seconds in.
“When Brayden Point scored, it felt like there was almost a little bit more silence and then the cheer of our people came up. It was like, ‘here we go, we’re at home now,’” said Lightning forward Pierre-Édouard Bellemare.
“It was remarkable. I always had to turn around when we scored because it was a sea of blue behind us,” Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said.
Tampa Bay’s momentum continued with another goal from Nikita Kucherov in the second period and the game-winning goal from team captain Steven Stamkos in the third period.
Nashville scored again late in the third period, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Lightning’s 3-2 victory.
It was a victorious ending to an incredible weekend for Lightning players, their families and fans.
