ThunderBug Celebrates Game 3 Playoff Win With AdventHealth Carrollwood

CARROLLWOOD, FL — On the heels of Monday night’s big win in Game 3 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals, Tampa Bay Lightning mascot ThunderBug made a special stop at AdventHealth Carrollwood to share the win with health care workers and patients at the hospital.

ThunderBug and his playoff beard made rounds to celebrate the win and to rally ahead of Game 4 Wednesday at Amalie Arena.

AdventHealth is the official health and wellness partner of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

ThunderBug was then back out and about before Wednesday's game at Amalie Arena where former Denver Downtown Denver Partnership CEO Tami Door spoke compared and contrasted the development of Denver with Tampa during the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s 36th Annual Meeting & Luncheon.

Door says when she looks at Tampa, she sees all the signs of where Denver was 10 to 20 years ago.

"Downtown Tampa is poised to be a premier example of urban growth and city building in our country. Strategy, leadership and resilience will set the course to leverage all of the opportunities ahead,” Door said.

She shared insights and lessons learned from other downtowns, including Denver, with Tampa leaders to support efforts to envision and create a downtown that is primed to grow current businesses and create new industries, attract the future workforce, build inclusive and well-connected neighborhoods, and bring people together around a shared vision.

Currently, Denver is leading in areas like wages and lifestyle, according to Brookings.

The Denver metro area ranks 11th in the U.S. for an increase in average salaries, while Tampa Bay is 25th.

For standard of living, metro Denver ranks 16th, with Tampa Bay at 44th.

Both hockey teams arrived in their cities at around the same time.

• The Lightning’s first season came in 1992
• The Avalanche moved to Denver from Quebec in 1995

To Door, this is another sign the two cities are on similar paths, and Tampa’s future will be bright if the city calls the right plays.

“In terms of hockey, only one team can take home the Stanley Cup. But, when it comes to creating thriving downtowns, I'm absolutely rooting for Tampa."