Lightning relocating training camp to Nashville, playing exhibition Thursday against Predators
TAMPA — The Lightning are relocating their training camp to Nashville in advance of Hurricane Ian’s anticipated arrival to Florida’s Gulf Coast and will play a rescheduled preseason game against the Predators Thursday in the “Music City.”
On Monday, the team postponed preseason home games scheduled for Wednesday against Carolina and Thursday against Nashville. But with the team arriving in Nashville Tuesday, it now will play a preseason game Thursday against the Predators at Bridgestone Arena at 8 p.m., the team announced Tuesday morning.
The Lightning already had been slated to play the Predators Friday in Nashville at 6 p.m. That game remains unchanged.
Tampa Bay still will play its preseason opener Tuesday in Carolina — regulars playing in that game include Mikhail Sergachev, Nick Paul, Ross Colton, Brandon Hagel, Erik Cernak, Vladislav Nemstnikov and Cal Foote — and the squad will travel to Nashville following the game.
Thursday’s game in Nashville doesn’t replace the home game originally scheduled for that day against the Predators. The team said it’s still considered postponed, and attempts will be made to make it up — though it will be difficult to find a date since the Predators will be in Europe through Oct. 8 preparing and playing in the Global Series. Fans with tickets to the postponed home games are advised to contact their point of sale.
With the uncertainty the approaching storm presents, it’s unclear when the Lightning will return to Florida. The team announced Tuesday that camp will be relocated to Nashville until further notice.
The Lightning postponed their 30th anniversary fan event planned for Saturday and an open practice Sunday (both to be held at Amalie Arena), as well as coach Jon Cooper’s charity fishing event, Coop’s Catch, that had been scheduled for Monday.
The team hasn’t announced any change to their plans to train in Estero for two days next week leading up to an exhibition game against the Panthers Oct. 6 in Sunrise.
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