Fans Brave Florida Chill for Unforgettable Outdoor Hockey Showdown at Raymond James
TAMPA, Fla. - When you think of hockey in Florida, you probably picture air-conditioned arenas and palm trees swaying outside. But this weekend, Tampa flipped the script. The Lightning and Bruins faced off in a rare outdoor Stadium Series game at Raymond James Stadium - and the weather decided to bring a little northern flair to the Sunshine State.
With temperatures dipping into the 40s - a genuine cold snap by Florida standards - fans came layered up and ready to embrace the chill for what many described as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The scene outside the stadium looked more like a tailgate in Boston than a February day in Tampa. Blankets, thermals, and winter jackets were suddenly the hottest accessories in town.
“Thermals everywhere underneath,” said Lightning fan Jacob Lightbody. “I have like three layers on and then another jacket in the car for tonight when we go inside.” That’s dedication - and a reminder that even in Florida, hockey fans know how to dress for the occasion when the puck drops outdoors.
Not everyone was quite as prepared, though. Many out-of-towners - and even some locals - had packed for the usual Florida winter, which typically hovers in the 70s or 80s.
Zach Moore, another Lightning supporter, summed it up with a laugh: “I bought the Stadium Series sun hat for my wife because I thought it was going to be warm. I mean it’s Florida.
Now it’s 40s. Not liking it.”
Even Boston fans, who should be used to the cold, were caught off guard by the unexpected temperature swing. John McDonald, visiting from Massachusetts, had been in Florida just two weeks earlier when the weather was more beach than blizzard.
“I was here two weeks ago. It was 80 degrees out.
I don’t know what happened,” he said.
His friend Skylar Sarkisian couldn’t help but poke fun at McDonald’s packing strategy. “This kid’s got a hotel at the Don CeSar, and he thought he’s going to go to the heat.
These guys packed bathing suits thinking they’re going to the beach.” McDonald admitted: “I have sunscreen and bathing suits, and we’re not using it.
I’m pretty upset.”
But despite the wardrobe misfires, the energy around the event was electric. Fans from both sides recognized the significance of the moment - a full-scale outdoor NHL game in Tampa, under the lights at a football stadium, with a national spotlight shining bright.
“It’s super exciting,” Lightbody said. “I think we all feel like it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, almost like the Super Bowl.
So we’ve been waiting for this. The weather’s really good.”
That’s the kind of optimism only hockey fans can bring to a 40-degree night in Florida.
And for some Bruins fans, the Florida version of cold was still a welcome break. “Our cars were buried in snow like on Sunday,” said John Mangiapane, who made the trip down from Boston.
“So the fact that it’s only 30 degrees actually feels like 80 degrees.” Perspective is everything.
To help fans stay comfortable, Raymond James Stadium eased its usual restrictions, allowing guests to bring in blankets, battery-powered heated clothing, and hand warmers - a thoughtful move that helped keep spirits high.
The Stadium Series transformed the home of the Buccaneers into a winter wonderland, complete with an outdoor rink and a big-game atmosphere. It was more than just a hockey game - it was a showcase for the sport in a region that’s grown to love it, no matter the weather.
Cold or not, the fans showed up, bundled up, and made it a night to remember.