By The Tampa Bay Lightning had some fellow local athletes in the building for Thursday’s preseason matchup against the Florida Panthers, as Tampa Bay Rowdies players traded the soccer pitch for the ice for a night.
The Rowdies got an up-close look at one of hockey’s heated Florida rivalries during their visit to Benchmark International Arena.
They even got a chance to meet and talk with several Lightning players before the game.
JJ Moser appeared especially excited to meet the soccer players. The Swiss defenseman grew up in Europe, where soccer is deeply rooted in the sports culture, and the athletes had plenty of conversation before the Bolts took the ice.
From soccer players to Zamboni passengers
The Rowdies didn’t spend the entire night watching from the stands.
After the second period, players climbed aboard the Zamboni for a ride around the rink and got a very different view of the ice.
And if the Rowdies had heard anything about the recent Lightning-Panthers rivalry before arriving, they probably expected some action.
They got some.
Things became heated several times during Florida’s 5-3 win, with shoving and scrums after whistles. Nobody dropped the gloves this time, but the tension was enough to give Tampa Bay’s soccer guests a taste of the rivalry. While the Bolts had many heavyweights on the roster, the Panthers left their stars at home, giving their prospects a chance to shine.
A busy Saturday for Tampa Bay sports
The Rowdies have their own business to handle this weekend.
Tampa Bay travels to Texas to face San Antonio FC on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET in its final match of September. A victory would clinch the Rowdies’ home-field advantage in the first round of the USL Championship playoffs.
Coincidentally, the Lightning will spend the same evening on the road.
The Bolts travel to Sunrise for their preseason finale against the Panthers at 6 p.m. ET.
That creates a pretty convenient Saturday night for Tampa Bay sports fans: settle in at home for Lightning-Panthers at 6, then switch from the ice to the pitch as the Rowdies kick off in San Antonio at 8:30.
Two Tampa Bay teams, two road games, two very different playing surfaces.
And after Thursday’s visit, a little more connection between Tampa Bay’s sports teams.
