Lightning Watch Party Canned, Channelside Offers New Plan

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Bay Lightning fans who want to get together to watch critical Game 7 action in the Eastern Conference Finals, won’t be able to do so at Amalie Arena Thursday night.

The team’s planned watch party has been canceled, after the Bolts apparently ran amok of an NHL policy. That policy reportedly prohibits more than one official watch party during each round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Just because the “official” party is off, however, doesn’t mean fans can’t take part in an alternative, the team announced on Twitter.

“Although the Lightning will not be holding a watch party for Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final, the merchants, bars and restaurants at Channelside Bay Plaza will be hosting a Lightning Fan Rally and Block Party beginning at 7:30 p.m.,” the Lightning Tweeted.

In addition, events are planned at Hattrick’s and Ferg’s Life, the team noted.

“Fans are encouraged to gather in those locations to watch and support the Bolts,” the Lightning advised.

The NHL told Fox 13 that Thursday’s watch party was a violation of a longstanding policy.

“NHL says they remind all playoff teams every year that they’re allowed one watch party per round,” Evan Axelbank of Fox13 tweeted Thursday. It seems a memo was sent back on April 12, he reported.

Should the Bolts beat the Penguins in Thursday's game, they'll move onto the Stanley Cup Finals for the second year in a row.

What do you think of the NHL’s policy? Let us know by commenting below!

Photo of Amalie Arena courtesy of the City of Tampa’s Facebook page