They enjoyed a different tailgating scene than they see in Florida, with people sitting around roaring fire pits and kids playing roller hockey in the parking lot. Yonker parked his truck in Lot C of Nissan Stadium, and the trio set up a makeshift tailgate with fried chicken, salsa, meat and cheese wraps, and Cretors caramel and cheddar popcorn mix. They occasionally attend Solar Bears games, the Lightning’s ECHL affiliate that plays in Orlando. So did pals Nick Siciliano, 30, and Eric Fuller, 31, both of Orlando. When Andrew Yonker moved to Nashville last year, he had the perfect setup for welcoming friends from Orlando while experiencing a Lightning game outdoors.Īn Orlando native and USF alumnus, Yonker, 30, grew up a Lightning fan. Orlando natives Andrew Yonker (left), Nick Siciliano and Eric Fuller (right) gather outside of their tailgate setup at Nissan Stadium. When I see the players come on the ice and start skating, I’m going to lose my mind.” ![]() “I’m already starting to feel the butterflies, just the anticipation of getting in there. ![]() “I don’t know what to expect,” Kelly, donning a black Vinny Lecavalier jersey, said Saturday afternoon. But he knew Saturday’s experience was unlike any at Amalie Arena. Typically, Kelly makes it to Tampa for one or two games a season. Since the group drove to Nashville, they had room for lawn chairs, folding tables and coolers for drinks and leftover snacks from their rented Airbnb. Saturday afternoon, they tailgated outside Nissan Stadium with a group of fellow Lightning fans. ![]() Kelly turned 53 on Friday and wanted to celebrate with his friends. Living in Atlanta, there wasn’t a question where they’d be this weekend, with it being such a short trip. ĭamon Kelly, Erin Bubelis and Melissa Reynolds met through a Bucs fans Facebook group more than a decade ago and have been friends ever since. The trio have known each other for more than a decade. “We kind of mismatch with everything, but we’ll be warm.”ĭamon Kelly (left) poses outside of his group’s tailgate setup with longtime friends Melissa Reynolds and Erin Bubelis (right). “We brought every piece of warming layers that we own,” Neal said. Scarves, sleeveless jackets, gloves, beanies and coats made the packing list. With temperatures expected to be in the low 40s and high 30s, the couple had to order cold-weather gear on Amazon and break out old clothes from the back of the closet. ![]() “We’re like a sea of blue,” said Courtney, 30, of Tampa. They called walking up and down Broadway “overwhelming” but said seeing so many blue and white jerseys made them feel at home. The couple of seven years had never been to Nashville until they arrived Thursday morning. They bought their tickets four weeks ago. Ĭourtney Ellsworth and her husband, Neal, decided to attend the game as soon as it was announced during the Lightning’s Stanley Cup final series against the Canadiens this past summer. Neal Ellsworth and his wife, Courtney, traveled from Tampa on Thursday to watch the Lightning play the Predators in tonight's Stadium Series game.
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