Turns out the Stanley Cup is going to Montreal after all.
But it will return to the Tampa Bay LightningB次元官网网址檚 possession for an extended party.
After the Lightning celebrated a second consecutive championship with another signature Champa Bay boat parade on Monday, hockeyB次元官网网址檚 holy grail needed to be sent north of the border for repairs. The bowl of the 128-year-old was dented to the point it looked like Flat Stanley Cup.
It has been damaged and fixed before, including when the 2018 champion Washington Capitals did B次元官网网址淐upB次元官网网址� stands after winning the first NHL tile in franchise history. The Cup is still scheduled to be ready for the start of the LightningB次元官网网址檚 summer of Stanley that players didnB次元官网网址檛 get to enjoy after winning last fall.
The 鈦︹仼 did sustain some damage during todayB次元官网网址檚 festivities. ItB次元官网网址檒l be sent to Montreal for repairs and be back to resume Cup celebration with 鈦︹仼 next weekend
B次元官网网址� Joe Smith (@JoeSmithTB)
B次元官网网址淲hat weB次元官网网址檙e hoping is getting two days with the Cup: back-to-back days,B次元官网网址� three-in-a-row champion Patrick Maroon said last week.
The second Lightning boat parade in 10 months was fitting of that desire for more celebration. Captain Steven Stamkos wore a T-shirt bearing the message B次元官网网址淏ACK TO BOAT,B次元官网网址� and the back-to-back champs were toasted with a boat parade on the Hillsborough River, with thousands of fans no longer burdened by COVID-19 restrictions gathering downtown to join the fun.
The scene B次元官网网址� five days after the Lightning closed out a five-game Stanley Cup Final win over the Montreal Canadiens B次元官网网址� hardly resembled the riverfront gathering organized after the team won last yearB次元官网网址檚 title while playing in empty arenas because of the pandemic.
Dozens of residents on boats and other watercraft enjoyed a close view of vessels carrying players and coaches. A post-parade rally in a downtown park was delayed more than an hour when a heavy thunderstorm accompanied by gusting winds sent fans scattering for cover.
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Eventually, Lightning owner Jeff Vinik and players took the podium to address the crowd in a steady rain.
At one point, forward Yanni Gourde slid across the stage on a trolley while some other players and coach Jon Cooper climbed down to interact with fans along barricades.
Forwards Alex Killorn and Nikita Kucherov took to the water, circling boats and cruising along the river bank on a jet ski.
Playoff MVP Andrei Vasilevskiy placed the Conn Smythe Trophy on his head, much to the delight of drenched spectators soaked by the rain and champagne sprayed by players.
ItB次元官网网址檚 the third time in 10 months that the Tampa Bay region has celebrated a professional sports title with a unique parade concept Tampa officials developed to provide the Lightning and the NFLB次元官网网址檚 Tampa Bay Buccaneers a way to party safely with fans during the pandemic.
The Bucs were honored five months ago after winning the Super Bowl for the first time in 18 years, with thousands lining the downtown riverfront while being encouraged to wear masks and observe social-distancing practices.
The February celebration capped a magical postseason run the Tom Brady-led Bucs began by winning three straight playoff games on the road before finishing the journey by becoming the first team to win a Super Bowl played in its home stadium.
Brady also provided the most memorable moment of the parade, shockingly tossing the Lombardi Trophy from one boat to another where tight end Cameron Brate caught it for the most famous reception of his career.
The Lombardi Trophy weighs seven pounds, while the Stanley Cup is 34 1/2 pounds and is now day-to-day with an upper-trophy injury.
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AP Hockey Writer Stephen Whyno contributed.
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The Associated Press
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