Fansided

Lightning enforcing dress code for Stanley Cup playoffs

By Alexandra Huber

Oct 13, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) is congratulated by teammates after he scored against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 13, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) is congratulated by teammates after he scored against the Montreal Canadiens during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tampa Bay Lightning enforce a dress code for opposing fans during the Stanley Cup playoffs.

If you’re a Chicago Blackhawks fan traveling to Tampa for the Stanley Cup, you may want to take a close look at your ticket.

The Lightning will continue to enforce a dress code and ticket policy for imposing fans during the Stanley Cup Finals. For the ticket policy, the Lightning are restricting ticket sales to certain Florida zip codes in an effort to prevent Chicagoans from swooping in and buying them up. Unless you’re a Blackhawks fan with a beach house, you may be out of luck.

Even if you’re lucky enough to get in the door though, you still have the dress code to worry about:

"Chase Club and Lexus Lounge ticket holders: Please note that for all 2015 NHL Playoff Games at Amalie Arena, only Tampa Bay Lightning apparel (or neutral) will be permitted in these clubs and adjoining seating areas. Fans wearing visiting team apparel will be asked to remove them while in these areas."

Let’s rephrase that: even though you paid an exorbitant amount of money to watch your favorite team play a hockey game you are forbidden from wearing your team’s sweater. Oh, and please keep it down.

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The Blackhawks, for one, are no strangers to teams imposing ridiculous rules to keep opposing fans out. The Nashville Predators have been restricting ticket purchases for awhile now. But this is just ridiculous. Wearing your team’s gear to a game that they’re playing in should in no universe be banned. If you have the guts to do it, and as long as you’re being respectful, you should be able to.

The other odd thing about this rule is that it is only regulated to the suites, areas that aren’t exactly known for being rowdy and out of control. If the Lightning are really trying to keep the fun, raucous people out of the arena, enforce the dress code in the 300-level. Just ridiculous.

See, this what happens when you give warm-weather cities NHL teams?

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