They're Just Warming Up; Lightning Ready To Strike Down Predators

TAMPA, FL — Two games into the season, the Tampa Bay Lightning are still looking for their first win.

They hope to get it Friday when they take on the Nashville Predators at Amalie Arena at 7 p.m. as National Hockey League preseason play continues.

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The Lightning were shut out during their first two preseason games this week — 2-0 and 3-0 by the Carolina Hurricanes.

The Lightning trimmed their 2019 training camp roster by six players, vice president and general manager Julien BriseBois announced Wednesday. The Lightning now have 56 players in camp.

Tampa Bay has assigned forwards Gabriel Fortier and Maxim Cajkovic, along with defenseman Quinn Schmiemann, to their junior teams. Additionally, the team released forward Eli Zummack and defensemen Louis Crevier and Cody Donaghey from their tryouts.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are starting the season with a new multi-year partnership with Cigar City Brewing. The new deal makes Cigar City the Official Craft Beer Partner of the Lightning and Amalie Arena. The partnership also includes the opening of The Cigar City Brewing Taproom off the arena plaza.

"The Lightning are excited to add Cigar City Brewing to our growing list of best-in-brand partners," Chief Executive Officer Steve Griggs said. "We are thrilled to integrate an iconic Tampa brand into the fan experience at Amalie Arena, and we are looking forward to making The Cigar City Brewing Taproom a signature downtown destination for Tampa residents and visitors alike."

The Cigar City Brewing Taproom will open during the 2019-20 season underneath the Pam Iorio Parking Garage adjacent to the plaza. The taproom represents a new food and beverage option for arena guests and will be open on both event and select non-event days.

Extending onto the plaza, the Cigar City Brewing Taproom will create an authentic Tampa setting, enhancing the pre- and post-event experience for Amalie Arena visitors. In addition, Cigar City beers Jai Alai, Guayabera and Florida Cracker will be available for sale throughout Amalie Arena, as well as on tap at the Cigar City club level bar located at section 211/212.

"Cigar City Brewing is proud to become the Official Craft Beer Partner of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Amalie Arena," Cigar City Brewing Chief Operating Officer Justin Clark said. "We will work together to contribute to the Tampa Bay community and elevate the fan experience at Amalie Arena. Not only do we look at the Lightning as a pillar of our Tampa community, we know how respected they are around the world. Their contributions to the community reach far beyond sports entertainment, and we are excited to contribute to their success."

Additionally, the Hunahpu's Beer Festival, one of the premier craft beer events in the United States, will be moving to Amalie Arena March 13, 2020. The festival will mark the 11th anniversary of the event in Tampa. The festival is a one-day celebration of Cigar City Brewing's Hunahpu's Imperial Stout, which is only released once a year.

Tampa Bay Lightning players Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov present Mayor Jane Castor with her own Tampa Bay Lightning Jersey. As part of #StrikesofKindness, the Tampa Bay Lightning are putting $100,000 back into the community, including $25,000 to renovate the Tom Oliver Memorial Hockey Rink.

As they prepare for regular season play, team members have been busy participating in community events including Lightning Launch Weekend Sept. 14-15 where the Lightning kicked off a 50/50 raffle to benefit Hurricane Dorian relief and recover. Raffle tickets are still available by clicking here. At last count, the total was at $6,510. The winner will be announced during the third period of Friday's game.

The Tampa Bay Lightning, partnering with Florida Blue and Feeding Tampa Bay, also provided meals for 200 families at Trinity Cafe in Tampa Sept. 13 along with no-cost flu shots, health screenings, a take-home meal kit and a Bolts Blue Flame cookbook. 200 families with nutritious food, meal prep education and health services Sept. 13 at Trinity Café in Tampa.

And Lightning captain Steven Stamkos and right winger Nikita Kucherov dropped by the Tom Oliver Memorial Hockey Rink in Tampa to present Tampa Mayor Jane Caster with her official Lightning jersey. The Lightning is spending $25,000 on renovations to the hockey rink.