Yesterday was the first home game of the 2022-23 season for the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before the Lightning battled against the Philadelphia Flyers, they celebrated the home opener at Amalie Arena and their 30th anniversary. It was only fitting that we faced off against John Tortorella, our old head coach that we won our first Stanley Cup Championship with. Although the Bolts didn’t come out with a win, it was a very entertaining game to watch. The final score of the evening was 3-2 Flyers.
Pat Maroon got the team and the crowd going with a first period scrap against Nicolas Deslauriers. But it was the captain Steven Stamkos that blew the roof off the building with a power play goal. In fact, he was the only Lightning player to score in the home opener. Stamkos is red hot to start the season and leads the NHL with six goals and four power-play goals. But if you ask him about his performance, he’ll say “I’m just the same old me.”
Needless to say that the Bolts have some work to do. It could take some time for these new lines to start clicking. It will also certainly help to get back forward Anthony Cirelli and defenseman Zack Bogosian. We’re not worried though, we know it’s a long season and we believe in our Bolts! Check out our photos from the 2022-23 season opener at Amalie Arena.
