Tampa Bay Lightning Reveal New Digital 3-D Video Screen

Did you see the new addition to Amalie Arena? Tampa Bay Lightning reveal new digital 3-D video screen. The Tampa Bay Lightning continue to make the fans experience the biggest and the best here in Tampa and are gearing up for the new season to kick off. There are a ton of new additions to the Lightning experience including the new digital video screen which is going to be a huge hit this season. Right when you arrive at Amalie Arena, you can see the Lightning new digital video screen.

This new screen was a $6.5 million investment. In digital video walls, this is the largest in Florida. This high-tech addition has the latest cutting-edge LED lights and 3D capabilities. As soon as you walk up on the plaza you can see it.

The team has also introduced a giant, golden Bolts logo at the entrance, offering fans a perfect backdrop for Instagram pictures. There is also a DJ booth, complete with super cool lighting that will add even more to the pre-game energy.

When the Lightning faced off against the Carolina Hurricanes for the first pre-season game, they made season ticket holders something pretty special. According to the Lightning website, 6,000 names of ‘Bolt for Life’ members, partners and suite holders have now been frozen into the Bolt at center ice. How cool is this? A first-of-its-kind fan initiative and a tribute to the team’s key supporters.

There is more. Inside the arena, the former Firestick Grill is being transformed into a $2.5 million food hall. They changed this traditional sit-down restaurant to a more dynamic, food-centric space that will provide fans with a variety of different options, creating a more flexible and casual dining experience.

So many changes and new experiences to look forward to this Lightning season. The season officially kicks off October 11th against the Hurricanes.

The Tampa Bay Lightning ended 2023 with a great win over the Montreal Canadiens Sunday night at Amalie Arena.  But that's not what Bolts fans are talking about days later.  A controversial goal scored by Montreal is still being debated on social media.

The weird incident happened about halfway through the second period. The Tampa Bay Lightning were down by 1 when the Bolts' Taylor Raddysh took a slapshot, hoping to tie the game.  The Montreal goaltender was able to trap the puck between his legs.  At that point, normally the referee blows the whistle, the music and light show kicks in and they go to a TV commercial break.  Normally. Players stopped playing. The music came on. The light show began. And the Bolts goaltender left his net to take a break while the TV coverage went to ads.

Here was the problem. Even though you can clearly see the referee bring his whistle to his lips, he never actually blew it to stop play.  As most of the players began heading to the bench for a break, one of the Canadiens, Johnathan Kovacevic, realized the play was still active. Kovacevid shot the puck into a wide open net.  It was an impressive shot given that he was on the opposite end of the rink.  But for Lightning players and fans, the play seemed to be over. Fans were FURIOUS when the officials checked the replay and confirmed the whistle never blew.  Should the goal have counted?  Watch the video and let me know what you think.

The NHL says, yes, the goal should have counted. What about you? Tweet your thoughts to @GenoRadio and I'll include them below. Fortunately the Lightning went on to win anyway, but even today, the strange goal is being questioned.

When asked, Austin did his best to keep his response professional.

I have to think whoever was behind the controls of the lights and music at Amalie Arena must feel partially responsible.  Are they?

"Huh?" was the response many of us had watching the game.

That's what this fan seems to think.