Tampa Mayor Makes Friendly Bolts Wager With Nassau County Leader

TAMPA, FL — Tampa Mayor Jane Castor will be sending Nassau County Executive Laura Curran the promised case of locally crafted beer and a box of Tampa-made cigars after losing a friendly wager on the outcome of Sunday's game between the New York Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Semifinals at Amalie Arena, the Islanders managed a narrow win over the Lightning, 2-1.

If the Lightning had won, Castor would have scored some of Long Island's famous pizza and bagels.

Castor, however, is still counting on getting her fill of pizza and bagels from Nassau County as the Lightning and Islanders face off again Tuesday at 8 p.m. at the Amalie Arena.

"County Executive Curran, we welcome you and all Islanders fans to come to our beautiful city of Tampa on the bay... ahem Champa Bay rather," said Castor, referring to Tampa's growing reputation as a sports-winning mecca after bringing home the Stanley Cup in 2020 and winning the Super Bowl in February. "Lord Stanley has grown quite comfortable here- he has a nice tan, world-class cigars, great local food, craft beer and a helluva championship boat parade last year. We aren't gonna give up that title anytime soon."

Curran, however, said Tampa Bay residents shouldn't get too used to having the Stanley Cup around.

"The Islanders are coming for the Cup," she taunted.

The winner of each best-of-seven semifinal will advance to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. While the Lightning and Islanders go head to head, the Montreal Canadiens are battling the Vegas Golden Knights for a chance to play for the Stanley Cup.

NBC Sports Group in the U.S. is providing exclusive national television coverage of the 2021 Stanley Cup Semifinals.

Here are the dates of the upcoming games:

Game 2: Tuesday, June 15 at 8 p.m.

Game 3: Thursday, June 17 at 8 p.m.

Game 4: Saturday, June 19 at 8 p.m.

*Game 5: Monday, June 21 at 8 p.m.

*Game 6: Wednesday, June 23 at 8 p.m.

*Game 7: Friday, June 25 at 8 p.m.

This is the second straight year the Lightning has battled the Islanders in the Stanley Cup Semifinals.

The Lightning defeated the Islanders in six games in the Eastern Conference Final last season before winning the Stanley Cup against the Dallas Stars.

A strong performance in net from Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov, as well as goals from Mathew Barzal and Ryan Pulock, sent the Lightning to a 2-1 loss in Game 1 of the Lightning's bid to hang on to the Stanley Cup, according to Lightning sports reporter Jacob Lynn.

The Bolts tried to rally late in the third, getting on the board in the final minute of regulation, but New York hung on down the stretch to take Sunday's series opener.

The Lightning hopes to rebound when the teams return to Amalie Arena on Tuesday night for Game 2.

Lightning Releases More Game Tickets

To accommodate all the fans hoping to see the hometown team in action, the Tampa Bay Lightning has increased capacity at Amalie Arena to approximately 14,800 fans for the Stanley Cup Semifinals and have released additional tickets.

Click here for tickets.

Official Lightning Watch Parties

For those who aren't lucky enought to score a ticket to Tuesday's game, Pepsi Zero Sugar will host a socially distanced Lightning Plaza Party outside of Amalie Arena on Ford Thunder Alley, featuring live music and giveaways. Tickets are $5 with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Lightning Foundation Charities. Pods of one to eight people are available.

Important Details:

• Tickets must be purchased to access Lightning Plaza Parties
• Fans with tickets to the Lightning Plaza Parties are permitted to bring standard tailgate-sized chairs (20 by 20 inches)
• The plaza will open for ticketed guests three hours before the puck drop
• Anyone without a ticket to either the Amalie Arena or the Lightning Plaza Party will be asked to leave the secure perimeter of the plaza
• Fans with tickets to the Thunder Alley viewing party and the arena will be able to access the plaza via the west sidewalk in between the JW Marriott and the Pam Iorio Garage, the west sidewalk at the intersection of Morgan Street/Channelside Drive or the entryway to the plaza at the northwest corner of Amalie Arena
• Outside food and beverages, coolers, bags, and tents are not permitted.

For away games during the Stanley Cup Semifinals, fans are invited to Amalie Arena for socially distanced, official Tampa Bay Lightning Watch Parties presented by Bud Light, featuring live entertainment, appearances by Lightning mascot ThunderBug and other Lightning personalities, giveaways and concession specials.

Tickets are $10 with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Lightning Foundation Charities. Pods of one to six people are available. Doors will open 75 minutes before the scheduled puck drop.

See related story: Lightning Strikes Twice As Bolts Head To Stanley Cup Semifinals