Lightning unable to reschedule games despite Nitro Circus cancellation
The Tampa Bay Lightning are stuck with playoff games on back-to-back nights this week despite the cancellation of Tuesday's Nitro Circus show at Amalie Arena, reportsThe Tampa Tribune.
The Lightning are facing the Montreal Canadiens in the Eastern Conference semifinals with Games 3 and 4 set for Wednesday and Thursday at Amalie Arena. The Nitro Circus show, a touring exhibition of dirt bike stunts, was canceled on Saturday due to "unforeseen circumstances" related to its television production.
The NHL typically provides teams one day off between playoff games, but the Nitro Circus show was scheduled months before the Lightning reached the playoffs.
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"We are disappointed in the circumstances surrounding the Nitro Circus show and its cancellation," Lightning spokesman Bill Wickett said, the Tribune reports. "The show's scheduled date in Tampa Bay did have an effect on our need to schedule back-to-back playoff games, so the cancellation is unfortunate. But we are excited to move forward with two second-round games this week against the Canadiens."
Nitro Circus apologized to "the Tampa Bay Lightning organization, its fans and the NHL for any inconvenience due to the last minute nature of this cancellation."
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The Lightning won the first two games of the series in Montreal after defeating the Detroit Red Wings in seven games in the opening round.
- Mike Fiammetta