NHL Playoffs: Penguins fans working around Lightnings crazy ban on opposing uniforms

Pittsburgh Penguins fans have figured out a way to cheer for their team despite the Tampa Bay Lightning’s ban on opposing team uniforms in certain sections.

When the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning hit the ice in Amalie Arena for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday, fans watching at home will see plenty of blue and white and hardly any black and yellow.

That isn’t because Penguins fans aren’t going to be in Tampa Bay for the game, but because the Lightning are again imposing a policy that bans opposing team jerseys and other clothing in certain sections of their home arena. The policy is stated clearly on their website:

"Only Lightning-branded or ‘neutral’ attire and apparel will be permitted in the Club and the Club-designated seating areas during 2015-2016 Lightning playoff games (including any pre-game and any post-game activities). Any attire, apparel, articles of clothing, accessories (e.g., hats, lapel pins, hair accessories, jewelry), or promotional collateral (e.g., mini-flags, noisemakers) that are branded with the name, logo, or registered mark(s) of the then-current 2015-2016 playoff opponent of the Lightning are expressly prohibited in the Club and in the Club-designated seating areas (together, the “Restricted Apparel”)."

The policy, which drew attention last year during the Stanley Cup Final against the Chicago Blackhawks, is not enforced across the entire arena, but only near the ice and in the big money club seats. Other NHL teams have employed similar policies, which has annoyed fans.

In response, Penguins fans who live in the Central Florida area have come up with some clever ways to get around the ban during the next two games played in Tampa, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

"David Wiercinski, an Orlando businessman originally from Mercer County who has tickets to Game 4 on Friday, is not sure if he will be asked to take off his black and gold, but he might bring reinforcements just in case.His idea is to wear a Penguins jersey — and beneath that, a Steelers jersey, then below that, a Pirates jersey.After that, all bets are off.“If I can withstand the heat, I will probably have all three jerseys,” Mr. Wiercinski said. “If they keep telling me to peel the layers, we’ll see what happens."

The Penguins and Lightning are tied at one game a piece in the Eastern Conference Finals. Game 3 will start just after 8 p.m. on Wednesday.

For more NHL Playoffs news, check out our NHL Playoffs hub page.