The NHL's "sharpest home-ice edge" is not found in traditional hockey markets such as Boston or Montreal, but rather the "surprising hotbed in Tampa Bay," according to Ben Arledge of ESPN THE MAGAZINE. The Lightning have the "highest differential in the league" when it comes to winning at home versus on the road. They "tip their hats to their fans" for that "surprising home-ice success." The Lightning through 10 home games this season are averaging 18,585 fans per game, filling Amalie Arena to 96.8% capacity after averaging 18,612 per game in '13-14. Lightning G Ben Bishop said, "People think, 'They don't get many fans in Florida.' We're selling out almost every game!" Arledge writes if there is a "face to the fan movement," it is 27-year-old Tampa resident Michael Tully, who "started Sticks of Fire last season to ensure that there's no neutral zone at Amalie Arena." The group "takes over Section 307, belting out rowdy call-and-response chants, a practice Tully learned while cheering on the U.S. soccer team with the American Outlaws." Bishop also credits team Owner Jeff Vinik with "arena renovations such as a 50-foot hi-def video board and giant Tesla coils that shoot off live bolts of electricity" after every goal. Lightning C Steven Stamkos said, "In other markets, you see a lot of corporate people at games. Here in Tampa, you see more kids and families, in part because our ticket prices are more affordable" (ESPN THE MAGAZINE, 11/24 issue).
