Bolts Lose 3-2 In Nail-Biting Double Overtime Game Against Stars

EDMONTON, ALBERTA — For hockey fans, it doesn't get any more intense. Thousands of Tampa Bay Lightning season ticket holders crowded into Amalie Arena while equally enthusiastic fans packed Thunder Alley outside the arena to watch Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final on the big screen.

The excitement mounted as the game went into sudden death overtime at Rogers Place in Edmonton. But, in the end, the Dallas Stars pulled off the nail-biting 3-2 win, forcing Game 6 of the playoffs Monday at 8 p.m.

Hopes were high as the Bolts headed into Game 5 with 7 wins and one loss to the Stars' 5-1 record.

Back in Tampa Bay, fans began gathering at 3:30 p.m. to be admitted to the watch party at Thunder Alley, where the crowd was limited due to social distancing rules. Others gathered at their favorite recently reopened sports pub for the 8 p.m. puck drop.

Meanwhile, Bolts Twitter and Facebook feeds carried a nonstop stream of comments from Lightning fans eager to see the Bolts bring home a second Stanley Cup.

"OMG the anticipation ... butterflies," posted Sandy Skrzypek.

Dallas and Tampa Bay residents weren't the only ones watching.

Although it was 3:42 a.m. in the United Kingdom, Lightning fan Adele Alexander was glued to her television.

"Distant Thunder from the UK," she posted, using the Lightning slogan adopted by fans who had to watch the playoffs televised in Canada due to the coronavirus pandemic.