Fan Believes Lightning Have Given Up on the Community

Longtime fan Mark Glerk is disappointed that the Tampa Bay Lightning lost 5-4 to the Ottawa Senators yesterday, believing it indicates the team no longer supports the community in the wake of recent hurricanes. 

“They didn’t even bother to hold their opponents to three or fewer goals, which they did in each of their first three games,” he said. “Back when they cared about us.” 

“Obviously they’ve abandoned their style of play as well as abandoning us, their fans, when we need them the most,” he added.

The Lightning began the season with three straight wins immediately after Hurricane Milton caused significant damage throughout the region, providing a pleasant distraction for many who had been impacted.

“That’s the way pro sports works: players are primarily motivated to do well so they can be part of someone else’s inspirational story,” he said. “When Mike Evans scores a touchdown, it’s not because he’s highly skilled and financially compensated to score touchdowns, it’s because some kid at Tampa General is sick.”

“Ever heard of a baseball player named Babe Ruth? He hit 714 home runs because that’s how many kids in New York had cancer in the 1920s,” he said. “Do your research, man.”

Glerk said he feels personally betrayed by the team and will no longer support them.

“That’s it; I’m not going to buy any more of the heavily discounted tickets they’ve made available since the storm hit because clearly they don’t care about us,” he said.