AMALIE ARENA PARKING

It’s often hot in Tampa, but not in Amalie Arena, the home of the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning. This Stanley Cup-winning team draws large crowds to the ice, making it important to book Tampa Bay Lightning parking ahead of time with ParkWhiz, featuring on-site inventory. The Lightning, or “Bolts” came into being as an NHL expansion team in 1992, with the franchise awarded to the Esposito brothers and Japanese firm Kokusai Green. The team started out modestly, first being located at the Expo Hall at the state fairgrounds before moving to what is now known as Tropicana Field. In only four years, the team reached the playoffs for the first time. In 1996, the team moved into Amalie Arena, then known as the “Ice Palace”. The bolts had some ups and downs during the period, with team ownership transferring to insurance executive Art Williams and then Pistons owner William Davidson. With new management and younger players, the team reached the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs and won the Stanley Cup in 2004, defeating the Calgary Flames. After reaching the playoffs again in 2006, 2007 and 2011, the Bolts underwent a rebuilding period with new owner Jeffrey Vinik, returning to the playoffs in 2015. The Tampa Bay Lightning reached the final round, only to be defeated for the Cup by the Chicago Blackhawks. The team is back to contending for the championship, and they have a great shot. As the team continues to fight for the Cup, it can make it difficult to find Amalie Arena parking unless you book ahead of time with ParkWhiz.