NASHVILLE — The Tampa Bay Lightning are in Nashville preparing for two preseason games against the Nashville Predators, but their hearts and minds are with Florida residents impacted by Hurricane Ian.
“We’re thinking of them,” defenseman Zach Bogosian said Wednesday. “Obviously we just hope everyone is taking the proper steps to be as safe as possible. Mother Nature is not something you want to mess with. It is a scary situation.”
The Lightning announced Monday they were postponing their preseason games at Amalie Arena in Tampa on Wednesday against the Carolina Hurricanes and Thursday against the Predators due to the potential effects of the hurricane.
Tampa Bay also temporarily moved its training camp to Tennessee and practiced Wednesday at Bridgestone Arena, where the Lightning will play the Predators Thursday at 8 pm ET and Friday at 6 pm ET.
“To be honest, when you’re here, and all the prep-planning you have to do, at times your heart is not really into it because you’re thinking about everybody that didn’t have the opportunity to leave,” coach Jon Cooper said.
“The focus has probably not been there for many of us because we’re all thinking of what’s going on there. … Hopefully, you get good news about what’s going on there, and people are getting through this. That will make it easier for us.”
Forward Pat Maroon said he tried to prepare his home as best he could before leaving, a process that included bringing in hurricane shutters and sandbagging his garage door. The Tampa Bay organization also helped ease the minds of players and coaches by flying family members and pets to Nashville too. For Maroon, that meant he was joined by his wife, daughter and two French bulldogs.
“The most important thing was getting the family situated, making sure everyone feels comfortable getting out, and making sure everyone is safe,” Maroon said. “That’s first, and then focus on hockey is next.”
Cooper was thankful the extended Lightning family was safe in Nashville, but he urged caution for those still dealing with the hurricane.
Storm surge and hurricane warnings remained in effect for Tampa as of Wednesday evening, per the National Weather Service, with winds forecast from 45-60 miles per hour, a potential storm surge of four to six feet, and a possibility of four to eight more. inches of rain.
“The people there that are going through this, you just kind of hope you’re not trying to test the waters,” Cooper said. “Do the right thing. Get to higher ground. Get somewhere it’s going to be better for you instead of maybe where it’s a little more dangerous.
“Because at some point, there are going to be storm surges and things like that. So, you just have to keep weathering through this.”
The Lightning are tentatively scheduled to return home following Friday’s game.
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