at least Stormy was smart enough to avoid a deal like this

[nccanes]

The poor bug is still up there....with about 6000 seats left supposedly (the dates aren't set yet, obviously). If Stormy had made this deal, he wouldn't have come down - Game 1 vs. NJ wasn't a sellout.

LIGHTNING MASCOT THUNDERBUG TO LIVE ON ST. PETE TIMES FORUM ROOF UNTIL GAME 1 SELLS OUT
3/27/2003
Starting during the third period of tonight’s Lightning game, ThunderBug will move to the roof of the St. Pete Times Forum, where he will live until the first Stanley Cup Playoff game is a sellout. More than 9,000 Playoff ticket packages have been sold for the first two rounds, and ThunderBug will remain on the roof until all of the approximately 20,000 seats for Game 1 have been sold. Playoff packages are still available with per-game prices set at $5 less than individual game pricing.

“The intensity of a Stanley Cup Playoff game is one of the greatest experiences in professional sports,” Lightning President Ron Campbell said. “Under the playoff spotlight, the casual fan can become hooked on the skill, speed and physical demands of NHL players. This Lightning team has shown it can play with anyone in this league, and we all are excited and looking forward to Stanley Cup Playoff hockey in Tampa Bay!”

Individual game ticket prices for the first round of the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs will be $16.50 (Terrace End Zone), $30.75 (Terrace Corner), $41.75 (Terrace Center), $52.75 (Terrace Front Row), $93.50 (Club Level), $65 (Plaza End Zone), $74.75 (Plaza Middle) and $81.50 (Plaza Center). A limited number of seats will be available on the day of the game for $8 (based on availability).

Source: tampabaylightning.com

[nccanes]

The poor bug is still up there....with about 6000 seats left supposedly (the dates aren't set yet, obviously). If Stormy had made this deal, he wouldn't have come down - Game 1 vs. NJ wasn't a sellout.

LIGHTNING MASCOT THUNDERBUG TO LIVE ON ST. PETE TIMES FORUM ROOF UNTIL GAME 1 SELLS OUT
3/27/2003
Starting during the third period of tonight’s Lightning game, ThunderBug will move to the roof of the St. Pete Times Forum, where he will live until the first Stanley Cup Playoff game is a sellout. More than 9,000 Playoff ticket packages have been sold for the first two rounds, and ThunderBug will remain on the roof until all of the approximately 20,000 seats for Game 1 have been sold. Playoff packages are still available with per-game prices set at $5 less than individual game pricing.

“The intensity of a Stanley Cup Playoff game is one of the greatest experiences in professional sports,” Lightning President Ron Campbell said. “Under the playoff spotlight, the casual fan can become hooked on the skill, speed and physical demands of NHL players. This Lightning team has shown it can play with anyone in this league, and we all are excited and looking forward to Stanley Cup Playoff hockey in Tampa Bay!”

Individual game ticket prices for the first round of the 2003 Stanley Cup Playoffs will be $16.50 (Terrace End Zone), $30.75 (Terrace Corner), $41.75 (Terrace Center), $52.75 (Terrace Front Row), $93.50 (Club Level), $65 (Plaza End Zone), $74.75 (Plaza Middle) and $81.50 (Plaza Center). A limited number of seats will be available on the day of the game for $8 (based on availability).

Source: tampabaylightning.com

[Jeff O Rocks]

If Stormy had made this deal, he wouldn't have come down - Game 1 vs. NJ wasn't a sellout.



If Stormy only had the chance to do that this year...I have no doubt his stay would be short-lived!!!!!!!!! :cry: :cry: :sad:

[Jeff O Rocks]

If Stormy had made this deal, he wouldn't have come down - Game 1 vs. NJ wasn't a sellout.



If Stormy only had the chance to do that this year...I have no doubt his stay would be short-lived!!!!!!!!! :cry: :cry: :sad:

[Stormbringer]

And more than likely, he's going to be there for a good while...based on what I've heard, there have been only a few sellouts this season for a few teams around the league. Heck, I heard John and Tripp saying that the Canes had more sellouts this season than the New Jersey Devils (:spin:), who we all know are unfortunately having a MUCH BETTER season than our beloved Canes! :sad:

[Stormbringer]

And more than likely, he's going to be there for a good while...based on what I've heard, there have been only a few sellouts this season for a few teams around the league. Heck, I heard John and Tripp saying that the Canes had more sellouts this season than the New Jersey Devils (:spin:), who we all know are unfortunately having a MUCH BETTER season than our beloved Canes! :sad:

[nccanes]

If Stormy only had the chance to do that this year...I have no doubt his stay would be short-lived!!!!!!!!! :cry: :cry: :sad:


Right on sister! Stormy wouldn't need a sleeping bag. ;)

[nccanes]

If Stormy only had the chance to do that this year...I have no doubt his stay would be short-lived!!!!!!!!! :cry: :cry: :sad:


Right on sister! Stormy wouldn't need a sleeping bag. ;)

[RIO]

The folks in Tampa Bay might just be mean and morbidly humored enough to leave ol' Thunderbug up on that roof, just for the sake of amusement. Heck, another lightning storm has to come around some time, right? :eek2:

[RIO]

The folks in Tampa Bay might just be mean and morbidly humored enough to leave ol' Thunderbug up on that roof, just for the sake of amusement. Heck, another lightning storm has to come around some time, right? :eek2:

[Stormbringer]

The folks in Tampa Bay might just be mean and morbidly humored enough to leave ol' Thunderbug up on that roof, just for the sake of amusement. Heck, another lightning storm has to come around some time, right? :eek2:

This is horrible...but should Thunderbug get caught in a lightning storm on the Forum's roof, would that mean his new nickname would possibly be Rod? :eek2: :evil: ;)

[Stormbringer]

The folks in Tampa Bay might just be mean and morbidly humored enough to leave ol' Thunderbug up on that roof, just for the sake of amusement. Heck, another lightning storm has to come around some time, right? :eek2:

This is horrible...but should Thunderbug get caught in a lightning storm on the Forum's roof, would that mean his new nickname would possibly be Rod? :eek2: :evil: ;)

[Alicia]

If Stormy only had the chance to do that this year...I have no doubt his stay would be short-lived!!!!!!!!! :cry: :cry: :sad:


Right on sister! Stormy wouldn't need a sleeping bag. ;)

Would he even need to get up on the roof to start with?

[Alicia]

If Stormy only had the chance to do that this year...I have no doubt his stay would be short-lived!!!!!!!!! :cry: :cry: :sad:


Right on sister! Stormy wouldn't need a sleeping bag. ;)

Would he even need to get up on the roof to start with?

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Anybody up for a road-trip to Tampa? Play-offs and save the bug!

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Anybody up for a road-trip to Tampa? Play-offs and save the bug!

[Stormbringer]

Anybody up for a road-trip to Tampa? Play-offs and save the bug!

Thanks but no thanks...my loyalties are to the Canes, and the Canes only. Though I wouldn't mind seeing Tampa Bay make a nice playoff run...anything to make Barry "I just made it into the Mullet Hall of Fame, whoo-hoo!" Melrose shut up about the "Southleast". :roll:

[Stormbringer]

Anybody up for a road-trip to Tampa? Play-offs and save the bug!

Thanks but no thanks...my loyalties are to the Canes, and the Canes only. Though I wouldn't mind seeing Tampa Bay make a nice playoff run...anything to make Barry "I just made it into the Mullet Hall of Fame, whoo-hoo!" Melrose shut up about the "Southleast". :roll:

[Guyute]

playoff hockey is playoff hockey, imo.

if I had the time, I'd definitely be up for the trip. unfortunately, I don't.

[Guyute]

playoff hockey is playoff hockey, imo.

if I had the time, I'd definitely be up for the trip. unfortunately, I don't.

[nccanes]

Well, it seems the CapsRoadCrew is working on a RoadTrip down to Tampa and will give a little help to getting that bug down from the roof. Poor lightning fans, I'll never forget being surrounded by Maple Leaf Blue (although I can't imagine that many Caps fans, but still).

[nccanes]

Well, it seems the CapsRoadCrew is working on a RoadTrip down to Tampa and will give a little help to getting that bug down from the roof. Poor lightning fans, I'll never forget being surrounded by Maple Leaf Blue (although I can't imagine that many Caps fans, but still).

[Shell]

LOL, pretty funny.

Incidentally I went to a playoff game when I lived in Tampa. Walked up about an hour before the game and there were plenty of tickets left at the box office and plenty of scalpers selling them cheap. He could be up there for a loooong time!

and hey, Tampa is the lightning capital of the country.

http://www2.sptimes.com/weather/Graphics/LightnStPeteBAER.JPG
Lightning bolts strike behind some of St. Petersburg's tallest buildings as seen from The Pier

[Shell]

LOL, pretty funny.

Incidentally I went to a playoff game when I lived in Tampa. Walked up about an hour before the game and there were plenty of tickets left at the box office and plenty of scalpers selling them cheap. He could be up there for a loooong time!

and hey, Tampa is the lightning capital of the country.

http://www2.sptimes.com/weather/Graphics/LightnStPeteBAER.JPG
Lightning bolts strike behind some of St. Petersburg's tallest buildings as seen from The Pier

[MeanGene]

I hope everyone who does not attend the first round get shut out for the second round if they advance.

[MeanGene]

I hope everyone who does not attend the first round get shut out for the second round if they advance.

[nccanes]

Thunderbugs update:

The Lightning have sold 12,200 playoff tickets for the first game. Individual tickets are still available by calling 813.301.6600, visiting the St. Pete Times Forum box office, or logging on to tampabaylightning.com. Ticket prices for the first round range from $16.50 (Terrace End Zone), $30.75 (Terrace Corner), $41.75 (Terrace Center), $52.75 (Terrace Front Row), $93.50 (Club Level), $65 (Plaza End Zone), $74.75 (Plaza Middle) and $81.50 (Plaza Center).

· It has rained two days. "I'm used to ice, not rain," ThunderBug said through his interpreter. "When the first drops came down, I thought I was going to drown. I had to call my relatives from the rain forest to ask what to do."

· The temperature on the roof has surpassed 100-degrees on four days, with a high temperature of 118 degrees on March 28. "The first time it hit 100 I called my relatives in the desert. They gave me some hints how to survive the heat. The pool we installed up here has really helped too!"

· The temperature on the roof has dropped below 50-degrees on six nights, including a low of 38 degrees on March 31. "I'm a hockey mascot, so I'm used to the cold. But the wind gusts have scared the heck out of me; 50-miles an hour one night. I can't fly. I don't have wings."

· ThunderBug has watched both Lightning road games on TV. "I still root the guys on even when they're on the road. Besides, even I can only watch A Bug's Life and Antz so many times."

ThunderBug has survived his time on the roof in his living room provided by Kane’s Furniture, and enjoying food from Nestle, Nabisco, Frito Lay, Chili’s and Hattricks. He’ll also have all the Coca-Cola he needs to wash it down.

[nccanes]

Thunderbugs update:

The Lightning have sold 12,200 playoff tickets for the first game. Individual tickets are still available by calling 813.301.6600, visiting the St. Pete Times Forum box office, or logging on to tampabaylightning.com. Ticket prices for the first round range from $16.50 (Terrace End Zone), $30.75 (Terrace Corner), $41.75 (Terrace Center), $52.75 (Terrace Front Row), $93.50 (Club Level), $65 (Plaza End Zone), $74.75 (Plaza Middle) and $81.50 (Plaza Center).

· It has rained two days. "I'm used to ice, not rain," ThunderBug said through his interpreter. "When the first drops came down, I thought I was going to drown. I had to call my relatives from the rain forest to ask what to do."

· The temperature on the roof has surpassed 100-degrees on four days, with a high temperature of 118 degrees on March 28. "The first time it hit 100 I called my relatives in the desert. They gave me some hints how to survive the heat. The pool we installed up here has really helped too!"

· The temperature on the roof has dropped below 50-degrees on six nights, including a low of 38 degrees on March 31. "I'm a hockey mascot, so I'm used to the cold. But the wind gusts have scared the heck out of me; 50-miles an hour one night. I can't fly. I don't have wings."

· ThunderBug has watched both Lightning road games on TV. "I still root the guys on even when they're on the road. Besides, even I can only watch A Bug's Life and Antz so many times."

ThunderBug has survived his time on the roof in his living room provided by Kane’s Furniture, and enjoying food from Nestle, Nabisco, Frito Lay, Chili’s and Hattricks. He’ll also have all the Coca-Cola he needs to wash it down.

[nccanes]

From the St. Pete Times.

TAMPA -- General manager Jay Feaster said he told owner Bill Davidson before the season that "if we put a winning product on the ice, this market will embrace it."

That is why it bothers Feaster that, through 8 p.m. Wednesday, about 12,600 tickets were sold for Game 1 of the playoffs and 11,900 for Game 2 at the St. Pete Times Forum, which has a capacity of 19,758.

"That's the thing that scares the living daylights out of me," Feaster said. "I don't know how to go to Bill Davidson if it doesn't (sell out) and explain why."

The Lightning will face the Capitals in the first round. If Tampa Bay wins the Southeast and gains home advantage, Games 1 and 2 likely will be April 10 and 12.

Feaster said he understands that, with war in Iraq, "there are a lot of things going on in the world right now that makes hockey less of a priority."

Still, "When you look at the support the Bucs have gotten and know there is a 50,000-person waiting list for season tickets, or something like that, you'd like to think in short order you can sell this building out."

Even at full price. The Lightning will not discount tickets as it does during the regular season.

President Ron Campbell said he believes with an opponent and likely home dates set, sales will pick up.

"I do believe this market will support us," he said. "I do believe we will see sellouts throughout the playoffs."

"There's no better hockey in the world than playoff hockey," Feaster said. "I'm optimistic as we go along it will happen, but, yeah, it's clearly a concern."

[nccanes]

From the St. Pete Times.

TAMPA -- General manager Jay Feaster said he told owner Bill Davidson before the season that "if we put a winning product on the ice, this market will embrace it."

That is why it bothers Feaster that, through 8 p.m. Wednesday, about 12,600 tickets were sold for Game 1 of the playoffs and 11,900 for Game 2 at the St. Pete Times Forum, which has a capacity of 19,758.

"That's the thing that scares the living daylights out of me," Feaster said. "I don't know how to go to Bill Davidson if it doesn't (sell out) and explain why."

The Lightning will face the Capitals in the first round. If Tampa Bay wins the Southeast and gains home advantage, Games 1 and 2 likely will be April 10 and 12.

Feaster said he understands that, with war in Iraq, "there are a lot of things going on in the world right now that makes hockey less of a priority."

Still, "When you look at the support the Bucs have gotten and know there is a 50,000-person waiting list for season tickets, or something like that, you'd like to think in short order you can sell this building out."

Even at full price. The Lightning will not discount tickets as it does during the regular season.

President Ron Campbell said he believes with an opponent and likely home dates set, sales will pick up.

"I do believe this market will support us," he said. "I do believe we will see sellouts throughout the playoffs."

"There's no better hockey in the world than playoff hockey," Feaster said. "I'm optimistic as we go along it will happen, but, yeah, it's clearly a concern."

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Is the guy on the roof actually staying in his mascot suit 24/7? Phew-ee if so. That sucker is gonna reak!

Porr bug. I hope they sell soon.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Is the guy on the roof actually staying in his mascot suit 24/7? Phew-ee if so. That sucker is gonna reak!

Porr bug. I hope they sell soon.

[nccanes]

And with the Caps loss to the Sens tonight. The Lightning clinch the SE.

Meanwhile, the Capitals' loss gave Tampa Bay the Southeast Division title, the first division crown in the Lightning's 11-year history. Tampa Bay will have the No. 3 seed and Washington the No. 6 seed and they will meet in the first round of the playoffs next week.

"I am just disappointed that we didn't put up more of a fight for it," Washington coach Bruce Cassidy said. "It looked like we were content to take our seed now and get ready for next week."

[nccanes]

And with the Caps loss to the Sens tonight. The Lightning clinch the SE.

Meanwhile, the Capitals' loss gave Tampa Bay the Southeast Division title, the first division crown in the Lightning's 11-year history. Tampa Bay will have the No. 3 seed and Washington the No. 6 seed and they will meet in the first round of the playoffs next week.

"I am just disappointed that we didn't put up more of a fight for it," Washington coach Bruce Cassidy said. "It looked like we were content to take our seed now and get ready for next week."

[Jeff O Rocks]

I wish we were worrying about playoff tickets for the RBC Center.. :cry:

Tampa Bay fans have no idea how lucky they are!! Let them have a bad season next year, and they will see clearly then!! :eek2: Of course I appreciated all the playoff games last year..and I know all of my fellow Caniacs did too!! ;)

..and batesb..as rabid as we have ALL become..no Stormy would have never had to make it up to the roof!!!!!!!! :kiss: ;)

[Jeff O Rocks]

I wish we were worrying about playoff tickets for the RBC Center.. :cry:

Tampa Bay fans have no idea how lucky they are!! Let them have a bad season next year, and they will see clearly then!! :eek2: Of course I appreciated all the playoff games last year..and I know all of my fellow Caniacs did too!! ;)

..and batesb..as rabid as we have ALL become..no Stormy would have never had to make it up to the roof!!!!!!!! :kiss: ;)

[Canesluver]

Meanwhile, the Capitals' loss gave Tampa Bay the Southeast Division title, the first division crown in the Lightning's 11-year history.

Good for them! If it couldn't be us, it's nice to see a team get their first one.

Let's see- Tampa beats Washington in 6 games??????!!

[Canesluver]

Meanwhile, the Capitals' loss gave Tampa Bay the Southeast Division title, the first division crown in the Lightning's 11-year history.

Good for them! If it couldn't be us, it's nice to see a team get their first one.

Let's see- Tampa beats Washington in 6 games??????!!

[Guyute]

I'm also glad to see TB get it. they're playing some good hockey for sure.

yeah, TB in 6. ;)

[Guyute]

I'm also glad to see TB get it. they're playing some good hockey for sure.

yeah, TB in 6. ;)

[nccanes]

Poor Thunderbug. His latest post to the TB message boards, dated today:

ok it's now been 11 days and I'm almost a fried bug. Do you know there is 2,158 windows on each side of the verizon building. It takes 26 minutes to sing "99 bottles of powerade on the wall" two times in a row. TGH hospitals helicopter flies over an estimated 18 times per day. Ive drank over 345 bottles of water and powerade in 11 days.I could go on for days, Feel like I'm trapped in a bug zapper. Well hopefully some millonaire will come by tomorrow and buy 4500 seats tomorrow.

[nccanes]

Poor Thunderbug. His latest post to the TB message boards, dated today:

ok it's now been 11 days and I'm almost a fried bug. Do you know there is 2,158 windows on each side of the verizon building. It takes 26 minutes to sing "99 bottles of powerade on the wall" two times in a row. TGH hospitals helicopter flies over an estimated 18 times per day. Ive drank over 345 bottles of water and powerade in 11 days.I could go on for days, Feel like I'm trapped in a bug zapper. Well hopefully some millonaire will come by tomorrow and buy 4500 seats tomorrow.

[nccanes]

Poor Thunderbug. His latest post to the TB message boards, dated today:

ok it's now been 11 days and I'm almost a fried bug. Do you know there is 2,158 windows on each side of the verizon building. It takes 26 minutes to sing "99 bottles of powerade on the wall" two times in a row. TGH hospitals helicopter flies over an estimated 18 times per day. Ive drank over 345 bottles of water and powerade in 11 days.I could go on for days, Feel like I'm trapped in a bug zapper. Well hopefully some millonaire will come by tomorrow and buy 4500 seats tomorrow.

[nccanes]

Thunderbug gets some props from ESPN for his stint on the roof....funny stuff.

http://sports.espn.go.com/media/nhl/2003/0430/photo/thunderbug_i.jpg

ThunderBug defines 'real' mascot

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By David Fleming
ESPN The Magazine


Maybe it was the fact that for two weeks leading up to the Stanley Cup playoffs, his pillow was two feet away from a lightning rod. Or perhaps it was that ThunderBug, the Tampa Bay Lightning's mascot (think Chris Farley dressed up as a giant yellow gnat), hadn't slept a wink -- or showered -- in a fortnight while living on the roof of the St. Pete Times Forum to drum up fan interest in the Bolts. (Something they clearly no longer need.) At 3 a.m. each night, inebriated hockey fans would scream up to him: "SUNDERBURGH! ... waiiiike urp SunderBurgh ... WE WUV YOU SUNDERBURGH!"


ThunderBug's got 'real' game.
The heat on the roof had melted his head. His tent was a mélange of popcorn kernels, empty soda cans and pizza bones. He started each day at sunrise with live interviews on local morning shows which, I think, is one of those rings of hell Dante was talking about.

This, my friends, is no bug's life.

Whatever the reason, then, when I visited his nest -- er, cocoon, hive, er, condo? -- T-Bug was in the mood to talk some serious smack about his foam-headed fellows. Even though he doesn't officially "talk," he mainly savaged ESPN's favorite commercial spokesmascot, the Syracuse Orangemen thingie.

"That guy? That Tropicana dude with the giant orange head? He may be the worst looking mascot I've ever seen," said T-Bug, antennae-in-cheek. "No offense but hockey mascots take stitches and keep working -- that blob probably would go on IR with a pinky bruise."

That's a little harsh, I said, seeing as how I'm not even sure he actually has thumbs.

But by then the dude was full-on bugging. And far be it from me to stop a good old-fashioned mascot melee. "You guys use NBA mascots in those commercials, right? What kind of a mascot wears Spandex in front of 20,000 people?," he continued. "Come on. When are you guys gonna start using real mascots in those commercials?"

Well, certainly no one could argue that T-Bug isn't a real mascot. He's got the four fingers and giant foam feet to prove it.

And the day after he spent two weeks on the roof of the arena, he was scheduled to appear at an elementary school ceremony at 9 a.m. His "Read to Succeed" program won him Volunteer of the Year from the local United Way. I've seen him on skates, in a Santa suit and on a mock version of the Jerry Springer Show. (Is this guy a natural for our ads or what?) This summer he's a favorite to win the Mascot Olympics in Florida. After that he's planning on running for president.

And so what if the O-man blob (his words, I hate the game, not the mime) is a national champ.

T-Bug is world wide.

Last year, he was the first American mascot to enter the British Mascot National Race. He finished 10th out of 100 in the 210-yard sprint (which locals actually wager on) but only because, "Some guy named Chatty the Owl cheated and used his human feet & he was finished and hugging the Page 3 girls before I even knew what was going on."

He's off the roof. As you can see, he's got loads of 'tude. His team is hot. He's bigger than Bono overseas. To keep costs down he promised to use frequent flyer miles to come to Bristol for the shoot. Heck, he'll even hitchhike if need be. (Again with the thumbs.) There's just one thing he won't do.

Film on the roof.

[nccanes]

Can you believe it's already been a year since ol' Thunderbug shacked up on the roof of the Lightning arena? :beatup:

TAMPA - The Tampa Bay Lightning hockey club is a contender to win the National Hockey League championship, but the first-place team has turned to an old promotion to help sell out the first two home games of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Lightning's popular mascot, ThunderBug, was scheduled to begin a publicity stunt Thursday night to help stir interest in ticket sales.

Jason Franke, the Lightning employee who plays ThunderBug, was scheduled to start living on top of the St. Pete Times Forum roof and stay there until the Bolts sell 21,500 tickets for each of the first two home games in April.

Sound familiar? It is. ThunderBug resorted to the same stunt last season and lived atop the arena for 15 days, until the Lightning sold out their first two home games in April.

On Thursday afternoon, Franke set up a Coleman tent complete with an inflatable mattress, 19-inch Toshiba TV and DVD. He also had a recliner and a couch that was arranged on top of his stage platform on the roof.

The team decided Monday to have its mascot hit the roof - two days after postseason tickets went on sale. Seat prices range from $33 to $120.50.



http://media.tbo.com/photos/trib/2004/mar/0325bug2.jpg

[murda338]

I have to wonder, How long can he stand the smell without a shower in his constume get up, hes gonna need old spice pumped in thier by the gallon

Mrs. Thunderbug's gonna be preety lonely :P

[CANESFREAKinDET]

I have to wonder, How long can he stand the smell without a shower in his constume get up, hes gonna need old spice pumped in thier by the gallon

Mrs. Thunderbug's gonna be preety lonely :P

LOL. :evil: Maybe she's the one who shoved him up there in the doghouse. jk LOL. cute lil "stunt" by the bug...lol. :spin:

[SouthernHockeyChick]

Considering they have been fighting for the #1 spot in the freakin' LEAGUE I sure hope it doesn't take them 15 days this year. You guys come on up to Raleigh for your playoff games. We'll sell that place out for you! ;)