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Lightning Hope To Reach Fans With Personal Touch

Tribune photo by CHRIS URSO

Tampa Bay Lightning's Vincent Lecavalier visits Monday with Al Dopking at his office in Tampa.

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By IRA KAUFMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 9, 2009

BRANDON - With memories of the Carolina debacle still painfully fresh, the Lightning opened their 2009 Goodwill Tour Monday by hoping to score with a frustrated fan base.

Tampa Bay players, coaches and executives all hit the road in a marketing blitz aimed at stimulating season-ticket renewal packages for next season.

Even Lightning owner Oren Koules participated as the organization made surprise deliveries to long-time club supporters, hoping they renew their faith by signing up for season-ticket packages featuring significantly lower prices.

"The idea is to thank everybody for sticking with us over the years,'' said Patrick Duffy, the Lightning's Senior VP of Sales. "Our players were happy to jump on board with today's plan.''

Most 2009-10 season-ticket packages went out last week, but some were held back so that club personnel could deliver the renewal forms in person.

"We've got some very good hockey fans and we appreciate their support,'' captain Vinny Lecavalier said before heading out for a special delivery. "We have people who have been with this team since that first season in 1992 and it's nice to see.''

Monday's campaign to provide a personal touch was executed less than 48 hours after a 9-3 home loss to the Hurricanes. Tampa Bay trailed 9-1 after two periods and Donna Pasley was there for every agonizing minute.

"They need to work more together,'' said the 48-year-old Tampa resident, who attended Monday morning's practice with her mother, Frances Jackson. "There were a lot of people booing the other night, but not us. Win or lose, we're behind them.''

Coach Rick Tocchet, who will have the "interim'' tag removed from his job description within the next month, ordered up a long, rigorous practice session Monday, two days before the Lightning face Ottawa in the start of a three-game road trip.

"The last bunch of games have been unacceptable,'' Tocchet said. "It's about competition, competitiveness and pride. If it continues like this, it has to be a boot camp."

Tampa Bay has dropped nine of its last 11 and the Lightning are only four points ahead of the Islanders in an effort to avoid another last-place finish.

"We appreciate our fans for sticking by us,'' said left wing Ryan Malone. "They see us through the good and the bad and the only thing I know for sure is that better times are coming. We have to do our part and that hasn't been happening, especially the performance we gave the other night.''

Both Pasley and Jackson were adamant that the Lightning shouldn't even consider moving Lecavalier in the off season.

"Vinny's in a slump – but so is the whole team,'' Pasley said. "The idea of winning another Stanley Cup is what keeps us going. I took a day off from work today just to watch the guys practice.''

Tocchet is proud of the loyalty displayed by Lightning fans yearning for a return to glory.

"We have 16 games left and I'm looking to find out who wants to be here next season,'' he said. "If you're here just to punch the clock, it's not gonna happen. This stuff has to stop. We have to get our fans to believe in what we're doing.''

Monday's deliveries marked a first step in the healing process.

"This is a new NHL … it's a partnership,'' Tocchet said. "People are getting laid off left and right, portfolios are down 50 percent. Especially in this market, we have to make them believe.''

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833.

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